Structural Characterization of an Archaeal Lipid Bilayer as a Function of Hydration and Temperature.

ABSTRACT: Archaea, the most extremophilic domain of life, contain ether and branched lipids which provide extraordinary bilayer properties. We determined the structural characteristics of diether archaeal-like phospholipids as functions of hydration and temperature by neutron diffraction. Hydration and temperature are both crucial parameters for the self-assembly and physicochemical properties of lipid bilayers. In this study, we detected non-lamellar phases of archaeal-like lipids at low hydration levels, and lamellar phases at levels of 90% relative humidity or more exclusively. Moreover, at 90% relative humidity, a phase transition between two lamellar phases was discernible. At full hydration, lamellar phases were present up to 70ᵒC and no phase transition was observed within the temperature ran

SUBMITTER: Salvador-Castell M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7084678 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature