Molecular organization of erythrocyte membranes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

: Lipid-soluble spin labels were used to study lipid protein interactions in erythrocyte membranes obtained from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The temperature dependence of order parameter (Sn) and correlation time (tau c) have demonstrated alterations in the surface and in the hydrophobic core of membrane; the differences might be correlated with a depletion of extrinsic protein and of intramembrane particles. Our studies suggest a great abnormality of membrane molecular organization in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.