title: A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study of cell membrane domain modifications induced by docosahexaenoic acid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Detergent resistant membranes (DRMs) are a useful model system for the in vitro characterization of cell membrane domains. Indeed, DRMs provide a simple model to study the mechanisms underlying several key cell processes based on the interplay between specific cell membrane domains on one hand, and specific proteins and/or lipids on the other. Considering therefore their biological relevance, the development of methods capable to provide information on the composition and structure of membrane domains and to detect their modifications is highly desirable. In particular, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a vibrational tool widely used for the study not only of isolated and purified biomolecules but also of complex biological systems, including intact cells and tissues. One of the main advantages of this non-invasive approach is that it allows obtaining a molecular fingerprint of the sample under investigation in a rapid and label-free way.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we present an FTIR characterization of DRM fractions purified from the human breast cancer cells MCF-7, before and after treatment with the omega 3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which was found to promote membrane microdomain reorganization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We will show that FTIR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis enables to monitor changes in the composition of DRMs, induced in particular by the incorporation of DHA in cell membrane phospholipids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study paves the way for a new label-free characterization of specific membrane domains within intact cells, which could provide complementary information to the fluorescence approaches presently used.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Italian Institute of Technology, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mereghetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, BBFI, Università degli Studi di Milano, via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola Antonia
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Corsetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, BBFI, Università degli Studi di Milano, via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cremona
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, BBFI, Università degli Studi di Milano, via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 3, Milano 20126, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze fisiche della Materia (CNISM) UdR Milano-Bicocca, Milano 20126, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Doglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 3, Milano 20126, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, Milano 20126, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze fisiche della Materia (CNISM) UdR Milano-Bicocca, Milano 20126, Italy. Electronic address: diletta.ami@unimib.it.
authors.forename: Diletta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ami
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010743:Phospholipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
keywords: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy; Cholesterol; DHA; Detergent resistant membranes; Multidimensional scaling; Sphingomyelin