Asymmetric structural features in single supported lipid bilayers containing cholesterol and GM1 resolved with synchrotron X-Ray reflectivity.

ABSTRACT: The cell membrane comprises numerous protein and lipid molecules capable of asymmetric organization between leaflets and liquid-liquid phase separation. We use single supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) to model cell membranes, and study how cholesterol and asymmetrically oriented ganglioside receptor G(M1) affect membrane structure using synchrotron x-ray reflectivity. Using mixtures of cholesterol, sphingomyelin, and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, we characterize the structure of liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered SLBs in terms of acyl-chain density, headgroup size, and leaflet thickness. SLBs modeling the liquid-ordered phase are 10 A thicker and have a higher acyl-chain electron density (rho(chain) = 0.33 e(-)/A(3)) compared to SLBs modeling the liquid-disordered phase, or pur

SUBMITTER: Reich C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2440463 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature