Structure of the DMPC lipid bilayer ripple phase.

ABSTRACT: High resolution structure is presented for the ripple (Pβ') phase of the phospholipid dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine. Low angle X-ray scattering from oriented samples yielded 57 orders, more than twice as many as recorded previously. The determined electron density map has a sawtooth profile similar to the result from lower resolution data, but the features are sharper allowing better estimates for the modulated bilayer profile and the distribution of headgroups along the aqueous interface. Analysis of high resolution wide angle X-ray data shows that the hydrocarbon chains in the longer, major side of the asymmetric sawtooth are packed similarly to the LβF gel phase, with chains in both monolayers coupled and tilted by 18° in the same direction. The absence of Bragg rods that could be asso

SUBMITTER: Akabori K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4303532 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature