Evidence for leaflet-dependent redistribution of charged molecules in fluid supported phospholipid bilayers.

ABSTRACT: The asymmetric distribution of charged molecules between the leaflets of solid-substrate-supported phospholipid bilayers is studied using imaging ellipsometry, fluorescence microscopy, and numerical solutions of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation. Experiments are facilitated by the use of patterned substrates that allow for side-by-side comparison of lipid monolayers and supported bilayers. On silica surfaces, negatively charged lipid components are shown to be enriched in the outer leaflet of a supported bilayer system at modest salt concentrations. The approaches developed provide a general means for determining asymmetries of charged components in supported lipid bilayers.

SUBMITTER: Shreve AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2670441 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature