ISSN:
1432-1017
Keywords:
Archaebacteria
;
bipolar lipids
;
ESR
;
ST-ESR
;
spin labeling
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract A spin label study has been carried out on bipolar lipids extracted from Sulfolobus solfataricus, an extreme thermophilic archaebacterium growing at about 85°C and pH 3. These lipids are cyclic diisopranyl tetraether molecules, quite different from the usual fatty acid lipids. Two hydrolytic fractions of the membrane complex lipids have been studied: the symmetric lipid glycerol-dialkyl-glycerol-tetraether (GDGT) and the asymmetric lipid glyceroldialkyl-nonitol-tetraether (GDNT). The ESR spectra confirm the results previously obtained from calorimetric and X-ray diffraction experiments showing a polymorphic behaviour of these lipids and indicating the critical temperature ranges at which structural transitions occur. Moreover, the present study adds information on the dynamics of the different portions of the hydrophobic chain. ST-ESR measurements show correlation times ranging from 10-8 s up to 10-5 s, depending upon the lipid sample, the label position and the degree of hydration. At very high temperatures, i.e. the physiological temperatures of Sulfolobus solfataricus, the nonitol head groups of the asymmetric lipids form a strongly immobilized structure. Indeed, the molecular correlation times of the outermost hydrophobic portion of GDNT are higher, by a factor up to 103, than those of usual monopolar lipids. Anisotropic motional behaviour is observed even at such very high temperatures. Possible biological implications are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00256527
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