Abstract
The spectra of non-covalent spin labels have been examined in the presence of erythrocyte membranes and their separated lipid and protein components. Evidence has been obtained for the perturbations induced in the membrane structure by a range of extraneous molecules. The perturbations are detected either as changes in the spectra of the bound spin label, or as changes in the partition of the spin label into the membrane. A comparison of the perturbations detected by different spin labels provides preliminary evidence for the localisation of the perturbing agents in the membrane. With steroid spin labels it is possible to detect the onset of irreversible structural breakdown in the membrane at high concentrations of perturbing agents. This results in the exposure of new protein binding sites for the steroid spin labels which are not accessible in the intact membrane. The interpretation of the spin label experiments is supported in detail by directly comparable studies of the nuclear magnetic relaxation of the same perturbing agents in erythrocyte membranes.
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