Modification of electrocyte membrane lipid composition induced by denervation

ABSTRACT

1. We determined the effect of denervation on the lipid composition of the main electric organ and electrocyte postsynaptic membrane vesicles of Electrophorus electricus. 2. Lipid extracts of whole electric organ contain mainly cholesterol, triglycerides, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidlethanolamine. After 30 days of denervation, the lipid composition of whole electric organ did not change appreciably. 3. Lipid extracts of the membrane vesicles were similar, except that they contained mainly free fatty acids rather than triglycerides. After 30 days of denervation, cholesterol concentration was increased and phsopholipids were decreased in the membrane fraction, with higher relative concentrations of phosphatidylethanolamine and cerebrosides. 4. These results suggest that electrocyte membrane fluidity and permeability will change after 30 days of denervation