Phase transitions in combined rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum lipids by Raman spectroscopy.

Using Raman spectroscopy, we found that the sarcoplasmic reticulum lipids of combined muscles from rabbit leg undergo at least two reversible temperature phase changes, centered at about -15 and 13 degrees C. Below the first transition, the lipid Raman CH st region is characteristic of the hexagonal lamellar gel phase. Above the second transition, the Raman CH stretch region is that of a "melted" lamellar phase, somewhat more rigid than a monophasic lipid system. The composition of the lipids was determined and the possibility of a relation between the major head group types and the phase transitions is discussed. Since SR Ca2+ATPase activity is enhanced at about 14-19 degrees C, the Raman studies suggest that ATPase activity is enhanced when the 13 degrees C transition is complete.