PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Chalikian, D. M.
AU  - Barchi, R. L.
TI  - Fluorescent probe analysis of erythrocyte membranes in myotonic dystrophy
AID  - 10.1212/WNL.30.3.277
DP  - 1980 Mar 01
TA  - Neurology
PG  - 277--277
VI  - 30
IP  - 3
4099  - http://n.neurology.org/content/30/3/277.short
4100  - http://n.neurology.org/content/30/3/277.full
SO  - Neurology1980 Mar 01; 30
AB  - Previous electron spin resonance studies in myotonic muscular dystrophy (MyMD) have suggested that an increased cell surface membrane “fluidity” might underlie the widespread abnormalities in this disorder. We attempted to confirm and expand those findings by using another physical probe technique: fluorescence polarization spectroscopy. Spectral characteristics and rotational relaxation rates of four hydrophobic fluorescent probes were monitored in control and MyMD erythrocyte membrane ghosts. Structurally unrelated probes were used to minimize the possibility that an alteration in physical properties in a restricted membrane microdomain would pass undetected. All probes were studied between 5°C and 40°C in each preparation to quantitate temperature-dependent changes. We failed to confirm the abnormality in apparent membrane fluidity previously reported in MyMD.