Abstract
THE so-called bimolecular lipid leaflet1, postulated as a basic structural component of natural membranes, has only recently become available for direct experimental investigation2. The formation and properties of bilayer lipid and proteolipid membranes, separating two aqueous phases, have been investigated3–7. The thickness of these membranes in aqueous solution is of the order of 70 Å, and they appear “black” when viewed by reflected light8. For this reason they are called “black” lipid membranes (or films) to distinguish them from the well known black soap films in air9.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Danielli, J. F., and Davson, H., J. Cell. Comp. Physiol., 5, 495 (1934).
Mueller, P., Rudin, D. O., Tien, H. T., and Wescott, W. C., Nature, 194, 979 (1962). In Rec. Prog. Surface Sci., edit. by Danielli, J. F., Pankhurst, K. G. A., and Riddiford, A. C., 1, 379 (Academic Press, 1964).
Huang, C., Wheeldon, L., and Thompson, T. E., J. Mol. Biol., 8, 148 (1964).
Hanai, T., Haydon, D. A., and Taylor, J., Proc. Roy. Soc., 281, 377 (1964).
Van den Berg, J. J., J. Mol. Biol., 12, 290 (1965).
Seufert, W. D., Nature, 207, 174 (1965).
Wirth, F. P., Morgan, H. E., and Park, C. R., Fed. Proc., 24 (2), 588 (1965).
Tien, H. T., J. Mol. Biol., 16, 577 (1966).
Overbeek, J. Th. G., J. Phys. Chem., 64, 1178 (1960).
Mueller, P., Rudin, D. O., Tien, H. T., and Wescott, W. C., J. Phys. Chem., 67, 534 (1963).
Tien, H. T., and Dawidowicz, E. A., J. Colloid and Interface Sci., 22, No. 5 (1966).
Fieser, L. F., and Fieser, M., Steroids, 233 (Reinhold, 1959).
Bergstrom, S., Arkiv. Kemi Mineral. Geol., 16A, 1 (1943).
Symp. Plasma Membrane, edit. by Fishman, A. P. (American Heart Association, Inc., 1962).
Van Deenan, L. L. M., in Prog. Chem. of Fats and Other Lipids, edit. by Holman, R. T. (Pergamon Press, 1965).
Cook, R. P., Cholesterol, 475 (Academic Press, 1958).
Fieser, L. F., Science, 119, 710 (1954).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
TIEN, H., CARBONE, S. & DAWIDOWICZ, E. Formation of “Black” Lipid Membranes by Oxidation Products of Cholesterol. Nature 212, 718–719 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/212718a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/212718a0
This article is cited by
-
Automated formation of black lipid membranes within a microfluidic device via confocal fluorescence feedback-controlled hydrostatic pressure manipulations
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (2019)
-
AβP1-42 incorporation and channel formation in planar lipid membranes: the role of cholesterol and its oxidation products
Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes (2013)
-
Superlinearity of current-voltage characteristics of oxidized cholesterol bilayer membranes
Czechoslovak Journal of Physics (1985)
-
Reversible electrical breakdown of lipid bilayer membranes: A charge-pulse relaxation study
The Journal of Membrane Biology (1979)
-
Anionic detergents as divalent cation ionophores across black lipid membranes
The Journal of Membrane Biology (1979)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.