Morphology and Fine Structure of Membranes upon Osmotic Upshifts |
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Authors: | Nicoletta Kahya Douwe A Wiersma Bert Poolman |
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Institution: | (1) Ultrafast Laser and Spectroscopy Laboratory, Optical Sciences, Materials Science Centre, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands;(2) Department of Biochemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Lipid bilayers are impermeable to most polar molecules. Osmoregulated transporters are responsible for controlling the intracellular osmolarity and protecting the cell against changes in osmolality in the environment. The mechanisms by which membranes regulate the activity of these transporters are still largely unknown. In this paper we investigate the response to hyperosmotic stress in artificial, chemically well-defined membrane models called Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUV). The lipid compositions analysed are relevant for the activity of an ABC-transport system that is controlled by the physicochemical properties of the membrane bilayer. Morphology changes are monitored by phase-contrast optical microscopy, and fine structural details related to domain formation are investigated by fluorescence confocal optical microscopy. |
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Keywords: | Confocal microscopy osmotic stress giant unilamellar vesicle transporter phosphatidylglycerol |
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