Evidence for reduced lipid order in plasma membranes from cataractous human lenses.
Membrane preparations from normal and cataractous human lenses were prepared by a procedure which minimally disrupts membrane lipid structure. Fluorescence depolarization of cis and trans-parinaric acid probes was measured as a function of temperature in membranes, lipid extracts, and phospholipids. These measurements indicated that membranes from cataractous lenses were less ordered (more fluid) than equivalent membranes from normal, age-matched control lenses. No significant differences could be detected between normal and cataractous membrane total lipid extracts, or between normal and cataractous membrane phospholipids. These observations imply that membrane lipid-protein interactions play a significant role in determination of lens membrane structure, and that these interactions are altered in cataractous lens membranes.
D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; C013641:parinaric acid