Mechanical properties of lipid bilayers and regulation of mechanosensitive function: from biological to biomimetic channels.

ABSTRACT: Material properties of lipid bilayers, including thickness, intrinsic curvature and compressibility regulate the function of mechanosensitive (MS) channels. This regulation is dependent on phospholipid composition, lateral packing and organization within the membrane. Therefore, a more complete framework to understand the functioning of MS channels requires insights into bilayer structure, thermodynamics and phospholipid structure, as well as lipid-protein interactions. Phospholipids and MS channels interact with each other mainly through electrostatic forces and hydrophobic matching, which are also crucial for antimicrobial peptides. They are excellent models for studying the formation and stabilization of membrane pores. Importantly, they perform equivalent responses as MS channels: (1)

SUBMITTER: Balleza D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3508901 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature