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Abstract
Membranes lipids are one of the most adaptable molecules in response to perturbations.
Even subtle changes of the composition of acyl chains or head groups can alter the
packing arrangements of lipids within the bilayer. This changes the balance between
bilayer and nonbilayer lipids, serving to affect bilayer stability and fluidity, as
well as altering lipid-protein interactions. External factors can also change membrane
fluidity and lipid composition; including temperature, chemicals, ions, pressure,
nutrients and the growth phase of the microbial culture. Various biophysical techniques
have been used to monitor fluidity changes within the bacterial membrane. In this
review, bacterial cytoplasmic membrane changes and related functional effects will
be examined as well as the use of fluorescence polarization methods and examples of
data obtained from research with bacteria.
Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science B.V.