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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Linewidth Studies of Model Membranes

Citation

Seiter, Charles Harrington (1974) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Linewidth Studies of Model Membranes. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/bmyt-e427. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:04082021-230959216

Abstract

The possible applications of magnetic resonance spectroscopy to current problems in membrane biophysics are surveyed with a particular view to the use of newer Fourier transform and multipulse techniques. Two contributions to this field are presented. The first contribution describes a Fourier transform filtering technique which removes the broad proton magnetic resonance (pmr) lines characteristic of cell membranes and unsonicated lipid bilayers to allow observation of methyl proton and other sharp resonance peaks. The interaction of valinomycin with lipid bilayers is monitored by this method, and the valinomycin is found to interact primarily with the polar choline head groups of the lecithin molecules in the bilayer. The second contribution analyzes the pmr linewidths of sonicated and unsonicated bilayers by the stochastic linewidth method of P. W. Anderson. It is found that the local packing of lipid chains in sonicated vesicles is significantly less orderly than the local packing in unsonicated bilayers. It is also shown that the sharp methyl resonances observed in pmr spectra of unsonicated bilayers correspond to the central spike characteristic of the methyl rotor dipolar powder spectrum in solids, and that this powder spectrum is only partially averaged by the restricted molecular motions available to lipids in unsonicated bilayers. Finally, a Waugh multipulse spectrum of unsonicated bilayers is used to establish kink formation on a timescale of 10-7 sec as the chief mode of local molecular motion for protons on lipid hydrocarbon chains in unsonicated systems, as compared to trans-gauche bond rotations on a timescale of 5 x 10-9 sec or faster as the mode of local motion of protons in sonicated vesicles. The value of these two systems as model membranes is discussed in the light of these motional results.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Chemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Chan, Sunney I.
Thesis Committee:
  • Chan, Sunney I.
Defense Date:7 January 1974
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:04082021-230959216
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:04082021-230959216
DOI:10.7907/bmyt-e427
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00762a071DOIArticle adapted for Part II A.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00804a002DOIArticle adapted for Part II B.
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:14119
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Benjamin Perez
Deposited On:14 Apr 2021 23:37
Last Modified:14 Apr 2021 23:38

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