Binding of calcium ions to cell membrane isolated from bullfrog skeletal muscle

Abstract

The membrane fragments of bullfrog skeletal muscle fibers were isolated by a modification of the method of Kono and Colowick (1961). Radiocalcium ions were bound to these isolated membrane fragments, and the binding of calcium ions was impeded by both sodium and potassium ions. The extractable portion of the isolated membrane fragments with chloroform-methanol mixture bound calcium ions whereas no appreciable binding of calcium ions was observed with the extracted residue. The results suggested that the binding of calcium ions takes place on the lipid or lipoprotein of the so-called cytoplasmic membrane which plays an important role in regulating the membrane permeability and the membrane potential.