Adaptation of biological membranes to temperature. The effect of temperature acclimation of goldfish upon the viscosity of synaptosomal membranes.

The fluidity of synaptosomal membrane preparations isolated from goldfish acclimated to 5, 15 and 25 degrees C and from rat has been estimated using the fluorescence polarisation technique with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene as probe. Membranes of cold-acclimated goldfish were more fluid than those of warm-acclimated goldfish when measured at an intermediate temperature, indicating a temperature-dependent regulation of this parameter. Similarly, membranes of warm-acclimated goldfish were more fluid than those prepared from rat brain. Liposomes prepared from the purified phospholipids of goldfish and rat synaptosomal preparations showed differences similar to those of the native membranes. Increased membrane fluidity of cold-acclimated goldfish was correlated with a decrease in the proportion of saturated fatty acids of the major phospholipid classes and an increased unsaturation index in choline phosphoglycerides. Rat membranes showed a substantial reduction in unsaturation index and an increase in the proportion of saturated fatty acids compared to the membranes of 25 degrees C-acclimated goldfish. The cholesterol content of synaptosomal membranes of goldfish was unaffected by acclimation treatment. The role of homeoviscous adaptation in the compensation of the rates of membrane processes during thermal acclimation, and upon the resistance adaptation of poikilotherms to extreme temperatures is discussed.