Calorimetric behaviour of individual phospholipid classes from human and bovine erythrocyte membranes.

The predominant phospholipids from human and bovine erythrocytes were isolated and purified from ghost preparations. Their gel to liquid-crystalline phase transitions were detected by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. In addition calorimetric experiments were performed on phospholipid mixtures which mimic the inner or outer monolayer of both membranes. From the results it can be concluded that, ignoring the presence of cholesterol, there can be a marked difference in fluidity between the outer and inner monolayer of erythrocyte membranes.