Isolation and characterization of plasma membranes from cyanobacteria

Abstract
The two‐phase partition system in comparison to the traditional methods used thus far (density gradients) for the isolation of the plasma membrane from cyanobacteria is described. The advantages of the two‐phase system are: A short‐time preparation of 3–4 h compared to 16–48 h required for the density gradient method; a purer fraction, resulting from separation according to membrane surface charge and hydrophobicity, not specific density; and, ease of scaling‐up for obtaining large quantities.Also, the different biological activities attributed to this membrane to date are summarized. Findings on the typical plasma membrane ATPase (P‐type ATPase) as well as the nutrient transporters and the corresponding proteins are included. As for the electron transport chain, one may conclude that this membrane contains a complete system (similar to that of the mitochondrion), portraying apparently F‐type (F0F1) ATPase activity.

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