A possible role of rhodopsin in maintaining bilayer structure in the photoreceptor membrane

Abstract

31P-NMR measurements demonstrate that at 37°C, independent of the photolytic state of the photopigment rhodopsin, the lipids in the photoreceptormembrane are almost exclusively organised in a bilayer. In strong contrast, the 31P-NMR spectra of the extracted lipids are characteristic for the hexagonal HII phase and an isotropic phase. The isotropic phase is characterised by freeze-fracture electron microscopy as particles and pits on smooth surfaces, possibly indicating inverted micelles. These results suggest a structural role for rhodopsin in maintaining the photoreceptor membrane lipids in a bilayer configuration.