From owner-biophysics@net.bio.net Sun Apr 17 23:00:00 1994
Path: biosci!rutgers!usc!sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!nstn.ns.ca!coranto.ucs.mun.ca!leif!knag
From: knag@kean.ucs.mun.ca
Newsgroups: bionet.biophysics
Subject: Model membranes/Domains/Lipid-Protein..
Message-ID: <1994Apr12.201344.1@leif>
Date: 12 Apr 94 23:43:44 GMT
Organization: Memorial University. St.John's Nfld, Canada
Lines: 41
NNTP-Posting-Host: leif.ucs.mun.ca

MODEL BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES:: DOMAINS

I had posted earlier about starting some discussions about model membranes/ 
domains/ lipid-protein interactions.
Due to this posting I have recieved about 8 individual replies from people who replied to me 
showed interest in discussing this issue.

Instead of trying to discuss such issues I feel it is rather appropriate to 
use the group (also to reach a larger audience).

	Domains in model biological membranes have been speculated for a 
number of years to have functional relevance to biological membranes. The 
domains of lipids can be visually observed in monolayers and bilayers. 
Recent techniques of microscopy of monolayers, ESR bilayer probes and other 
relevant techniques  have shown the coexistance of various phases in lipid and 
lipid-protein bilayers. 

1] Does anybody know about other techniques used to observe domains 
visually? Are these domains due to gel-fluid transitions or due to protein 
or ion induces seggregatin of lipids? How relevant are LC domains in 
monolayers to bilayers?

2] Are there any techniques available to observe bilayer domains? Does 
biological membrane have domains?

3] What are the main functional relevance of biomembrane domains?

4] When model membranes undergo thermal transition (gel to liquid 
crystalline transitions or LE to LC) can the cooperative process be 
visualized? I have not yet seen any references in this regard.


For a starter I would appreciate if any discussions start on the following 
questions.

Kaushik Nag,
Biochemistry,
Memorial University,
Newfoundland, Canada. 
** e-mail replies can also be made at knagG@kean.ucs.mun.ca, but would 
appreciate if the discussion be kept to the newsgroup.

.