Research Article

Structural Configuration of Myelin Figures Using Fluorescence Microscopy

Figure 4

(a1)–(a3) Epifluorescence micrographs reveal coexistence of solid and hollow tubes emanating from single plaque of DMPC (sample A) while edge of the plaque is unpinned from the substrate and its central part is pinned. Protrusion is formed when initially dry lipid plaque is hydrated below and then heated to above its value. Solid tubes appear from the pinned region and hollow tubes protrude from the unpinned region (a1) and (a2). Over time, the entire plaque becomes unpinned, and all solid tubes retract and are replaced by hollow tubes (a3). (b) Fully suspended DMPC plaques in water produce exclusively hollow tubes. (DMPC is doped with 0.75 mol% TR.)
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