Phase coexistence and connectivity in the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Although it is well described in model membranes, little is known about phase separation in biological membranes. Here, we provide evidence for a coexistence of at least two different lipid bilayer phases in the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells. Phase connectivity was assessed by measuring long-range diffusion of several membrane proteins by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in two polarized epithelial cell lines and one fibroblast cell line. In contrast to the fibroblast plasma membrane, in which all of the proteins diffused with similar characteristics, in the apical membrane of epithelial cells the proteins could be divided into two groups according to their diffusion characteristics. At room temperature ( approximately 25 degrees C), one group showed fast diffusion a

SUBMITTER: Meder D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1324955 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature