FLUORESCENCE STUDIES OF BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYUN

神经元和视网膜组织富含含有一个或两个长链多不饱和酰基链的磷脂。这些研究旨在确定含有多不饱和酰基链的磷脂调节G蛋白偶联受体信号的分子基础，特别是22:6n-3。荧光能量转移（FRET）用于测定含有di16:0和di22:6 PCs加胆固醇的双分子层的侧结构域形成程度。检测到依赖于视紫红质存在的侧结构域形成。多不饱和酰基链导致G蛋白偶联受体紫红质活性构象的最高水平形成。在含有22:6n-3脂质的双分子层中，侧结构域形成的作用正在进一步研究。其他实验表明，乙醇可能会破坏侧结构域，这表明乙醇可以调节膜功能的潜在机制。酰基链自由体积和曲率应力都被认为是调节膜蛋白功能的双层性质。目前正在进行实验，以确定这两种性质之间的关系。这些研究对于了解22:6n-3酰基链在结构域形成中的作用、醇的作用机制以及膜蛋白功能的调节具有重要意义

Neuronal and retinal tissues are high in phospholipids containing one or two long chain polyunsaturated acyl chains. These studies are directed towards determining a molecular basis for the modulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling by phospholipids containing polyunsaturated acyl chains, in particular 22:6n-3. Fluorescence Energy Transfer (FRET) was used to determine the degree of lateral domain formation in bilayers containing di16:0 and di22:6 PCs plus cholesterol. Lateral domain formation, which was dependent on the presence of rhodopsin, was detected. Polyunsaturated acyl chains result in the highest level of formation of the active conformation of the G protein-coupled receptor, rhodopsin. The role of lateral domain formation in bilayers containing 22:6n-3 containing lipids is being further investigated. Other experiments indicate that ethanol may disrupt the lateral domains, suggesting a potential mechanism by which ethanol can modulate membrane function. Both acyl chain free volume and curvature stress have been invoked as bilayer properties, which modulate membrane protein function. Experiments are currently being carried out to determine the relationship between these two properties. These studies are important in understanding the role of 22:6n-3 acyl chains in domain formation, the mechanism of alcohol action, and the modulation of membrane protein function