Abstract

Cell surface membrane fragments were isolated and purified by successive rate zonal and isopycnic centrifugation of calcium oxalate-loaded pigeon heart microsomes in sucrose density gradients. The most highly purified cell membrane fraction sediments at a buoyant density of 1.105 g/ml. Some of the membrane pieces are present as open fragments and leaky vesicles, while others form tightly sealed vesicles of both inside-in and inside-out membrane orientation. The pigeon heart cell membrane preparation exhibits high ( Na + + K + + Mg 2+)- ATPase and adenylate cyclase activities. Additional activity of these enzymes is uncovered by sodium dodecyl sulfate and alamethicin, respectively. Electron microscopic inspection of the cell surface membrane preparation revealed (a) a predominance of thick-walled vesicles with smooth surfaces on negative staining and (b) binding of concanavalin A to the bulk of isolated membrane pieces following their incubation with the lectin.

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