Coupling of Membrane Nanodomain Formation and Enhanced Electroporation near Phase Transition.

ABSTRACT: Biological cells are enveloped by a heterogeneous lipid bilayer that prevents the uncontrolled exchange of substances between the cell interior and its environment. In particular, membranes act as a continuous barrier for salt and macromolecules to ensure proper physiological functions within the cell. However, it has been shown that membrane permeability strongly depends on temperature and, for phospholipid bilayers, displays a maximum at the transition between the gel and fluid phase. Here, extensive molecular dynamics simulations of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers were employed to characterize the membrane structure and dynamics close to phase transition, as well as its stability with respect to an external electric field. Atomistic simulations revealed the dynamic appearance an

SUBMITTER: Kirsch SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6554532 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature