Glucosylceramide Reorganizes Cholesterol-Containing Domains in a Fluid Phospholipid Membrane.

ABSTRACT: Glucosylceramide (GlcCer), one of the simplest glycosphingolipids, plays key roles in physiology and pathophysiology. It has been suggested that GlcCer modulates cellular events by forming specialized domains. In this study, we investigated the interplay between GlcCer and cholesterol (Chol), an important lipid involved in the formation of liquid-ordered (lo) phases. Using fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy, and dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering, we characterized the interaction between these lipids in different pH environments. A quantitative description of the phase behavior of the ternary unsaturated phospholipid/Chol/GlcCer mixture is presented. The results demonstrate coexistence between lo and liquid-disordered (ld) phases. However, the extent of lo/ld phase separati

SUBMITTER: Varela ARP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4744164 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature