The lipid bilayer postulated as the basic structural matrix of biological membranes is widely accepted. Recent experiments have made direct studies of lipid bilayers possible. As has been demonstrated by a number of investigators and ourselves, these artificially constituted bilayer lipid membranes of planar configuration (BLM) possess many properties resembling those of biological membranes. At the present time, the bilayer lipid membrane upon suitable modification serves as a unique model for the biological membrane (see references below). The proposed research will be centered on the following: (1) continuing the current research program on the studies of the basic physical, photo- and electro-chemistry of BLM, using newly developed cyclic voltammetry and photoelectrospectrometry which should provide a more rational basis for further development; and (2) reconstituting specific biomembrane systems with lipid bilayers of planar configuration and their modifications so that simple physical, chemical and physiological processes may be isolated and analyzed in terms of the physical and chemical properties of the constituent compounds. Specifically, reconstitution experiments are aimed at the following: (a) the relationship between membranes and cytoskeleton, which is related to their important role in the integration of cellular processes and structural-functional organization of the cells. The significance of these experiments may be developed to investigate some of the mechanims of action of the cytoskeletal inhibitors, which can disturb different physiological processes and used as pharmacological agents in the treatment of malignant diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc., (b) demonstrating the existence of cytoskeletal (microtubule) connections between membranes using two BLM with a narrow microtubule-containing intermediate compartment between them, and (c) using pigmented and non-pigmented BLMs to obtain information on the molecular events, which hopefully will provide a molecular basis for an understanding of the much more complex questions of transport, ion selectivity, energy transduction, redox reactions, and immunological properties in biological membranes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM014971-21
Application #
3268714
Study Section
Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry B Study Section (BBCB)
Project Start
1980-09-01
Project End
1990-03-31
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-03-31
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Michigan State University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
193247145
City
East Lansing
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48824
Tien, H T; Salamon, Z; Ottova, A (1991) Lipid bilayer-based sensors and biomolecular electronics. Crit Rev Biomed Eng 18:323-40
Tien, H T; Salamon, Z (1990) Self-assembling bilayer lipid membranes on solid support. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 12:478-84
Vassilev, P M; Tien, H T (1989) Reconstitution of membrane molecular mechanisms in bilayer lipid membranes and patch-clamp bilayers. Subcell Biochem 14:97-143
Salamon, Z; Tien, H T (1989) Deposition of a photosensitive complex within a lecithin bilayer lipid membrane. J Photochem Photobiol B 3:351-7
Tien, H T; Chen, J W (1989) Hydrogen generation from artificial sea water in a semiconductor septum electrochemical photovoltaic cell. Photochem Photobiol 49:527-30
Janas, T; Tien, H T (1988) Influence of dolichyl phosphate on permeability and stability of bilayer lipid membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta 939:624-8
Kutnik, J; Tien, H T (1987) Photoelectric effects in bilayer lipid membrane containing metallo-porphyrins and dyes. Photochem Photobiol 46:1009-13
Vassilev, P M; Kanazirska, M P; Tien, H T (1987) Ca2+ channels from brain microsomal membranes reconstituted in patch-clamped bilayers. Biochim Biophys Acta 897:324-30
Xu, G Z; Shi, B; McGroarty, E J et al. (1986) Channel-closing activity of porins from Escherichia coli in bilayer lipid membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta 862:57-64
Shi, B; Tien, H T (1986) Action of calcium channel and beta-adrenergic blocking agents in bilayer lipid membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta 859:125-34

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