NMR investigations of non-lamellar phase promoters in the lamellar phase state

doi:10.1016/0009-3084(96)02576-5

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids

Volume 81, Issue 2, 15 July 1996, Pages 105-116

https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-3084(96)02576-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

A delicate balance of attractive and repulsive forces between lipid molecules determines the average area per lipid in the liquid crystalline lamellar phase. Formation of inverted non-lamellar phases is linked to an imbalance in lateral tension between lipid headgroups and chains favoring formation of curved lipid monolayers, such as in inverse hexagonal (H_II) and cubic phases. If assembled in bilayers, non-lamellar forming lipids are under a curvature related lateral stress. This tension imbalance influences molecular cross-sectional area in the lamellar phase which is reflected in order parameter changes of a perdeuterated lipid chain. ²H NMR order parameters are sensitive to variations as small as 0.2 Å² in area per molecule. Curvature stress caused by a reduction of repulsive forces between headgroups, e.g. replacement of PC with PE raises chain order and reduces area per lipid by a few square angstrom. Stress caused by increased repulsive tension between lipid hydrocarbon chains, e.g. an increase in chain length, chain unsaturation or a rise in temperature, lowers chain order and increases area per molecule. Addition of alkanes, alcohols, cholesterol and other substances also changes lipid order, but interpretation of these changes in terms of tension in headgroup and chain regions does not follow simple patterns. In addition to altering tension, these additives may stabilize non-lamellar phases by lowering interstitial energies.

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NMR investigations of non-lamellar phase promoters in the lamellar phase state

Abstract

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Biophys. J.

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Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Direct NMR evidence for ethanol binding to the lipid-water interface of phospholipid bilayers

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Effects of ethanol on lipid bilayers containing cholesterol, gangliosides, and sphingomyelin

Biochemistry

Physical properties of the fluid lipid-bilayer component of cell membranes: a perspective

Q. Rev. Biophys.

Carbon-13 and deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance study of the interaction of cholesterol with phosphatidylethanolamine

Biochemistry

Frequency spectrum of the flicker phenomenon in erythrocytes

J. Physique

Structural properties and functional roles of phospholipids in biological membranes

Membrane fusion and inverted phases

Biochemistry

Diacylglycerols, lysolecithin, or hydrocarbons markedly alter the bilayer to hexagonal phase transition temperature of phosphatidylethanolamines

Biochemistry

Relationship of phospholipid hexagonal phases to biological phenomena

Biochem. Cell Biol.