Laurdan generalized polarization fluctuations measures membrane packing micro-heterogeneity in vivo.

ABSTRACT: Cellular membranes are heterogeneous in composition, and the prevailing theory holds that the structures responsible for this heterogeneity in vivo are small structures (10-200 nm), sterol- and sphingolipid-enriched, of different sizes, highly dynamic denominated rafts. Rafts are postulated to be platforms, which by sequestering different membrane components can compartmentalize cellular processes and regulate signaling pathways. Despite an enormous effort in this area, the existence of these domains is still under debate due to the characteristics of the structures itself: small in size and highly mobile, which from the technical point of view implies using techniques with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this report we measured rapid fluctuations of the normalized ratio of the em

SUBMITTER: Sanchez SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3358851 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature