Phase transitions of the purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium
- PMID: 629940
- DOI: 10.1021/bi00598a026
Phase transitions of the purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium
Abstract
Purple membranes of Halobacterium halobium were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. No transition was detected at temperatures below 70 degrees C. A small endothermic transition was seen at about 80 degrees C and a larger one at 100 degrees C. The larger transition is the irreversible denaturation of bacteriorhodopsin. The smaller transition is accompanied by a change in the visible absorption spectrum and is believed to be reversible, involving a cooperative change in crystalline structure of the membrane.