Lipid bilayer reorganization under extreme pH conditions

Langmuir. 2011 May 3;27(9):5481-91. doi: 10.1021/la2001305. Epub 2011 Apr 4.

Abstract

Supported lipid bilayers containing phosphatidylcholine headgroups are observed to undergo reorganization from a 2D fluid, lipid bilayer assembly into an array of complex 3D structures upon exposure to extreme pH environments. These conditions induce a combination of molecular packing and electrostatic interactions that can create dynamic morphologies of highly curved lipid membrane structures. This work demonstrates that fluid, single-component lipid bilayer assemblies can create complex morphologies, a phenomenon typically only associated with lipid bilayers of mixed composition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Membrane Fluidity
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Membrane Proteins