Simple Method of Measuring Alignment Directions and Retardation of Liquid Crystal Cells

Abstract

Using differential scanning calorimetry, preferential interaction between melittin and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine was observed in various binary mixtures of phospholipids. It is shown that matching of the hydrophobic regions between melittin and fatty acyl chains of phospholipids is the most important factor. Using a microscopic imaging instrument for membrane fluidity, specific interaction between cholesterol and sphingomyelin in rafts was confirmed in living CHO cells. An environment sensitive fluorescence dye, laurdan, was used in this home-built instrument. The membrane fluidity of the cells was scarcely affected with the treatment of sphingomyelinase up to 0.1 U ml −1 . On the other hand, increase of the membrane fluidity was observed in CHO cells treated with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, which removes cholesterol molecules from biomembranes of the cells in a concentration dependent manner up to 10 mM. But a low concentration of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (1 mM) did not raise the membrane fluidity. However, increase of membrane fluidity was observed in CHO cells treated with sphingomyelinase and then with 1 mM methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. These results suggest specific interaction between sphingomyelin and cholesterol in the rafts.