Microdomain Organization of Internodal Myelin

Abstract

The orientation and ordering of the molecules of carotenoids and fatty acids of phospholipids in myelin of nerve fiber was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. A method for the quantitative description of the order of the molecules in myelin lipid bilayer has been developed. It was established that the difference in the distribution of the molecules of carotenoids and phospholipids is associated with the morphology of myelin and nerve fiber. The molecules of carotenoids are predominantly perpendicular to the surface of the lipid bilayer of myelin, while phospholipids are oriented at an angle of 45° to it. It is assumed that the microdomain organization of the internodal myelin is due to the presence of areas with high degree of saturation and order of the fatty acid chains of phospholipids.