Abstract
We investigate the structural changes to lipid membrane that ensue from the addition of aliphatic alcohols with various alkyl tail lengths. Small angle neutron diffraction from flat lipid bilayers that are hydrated through water vapor has been employed to eliminate possible artefacts of the membrane curvature and the alcohol’s membrane-water partitioning. We have observed clear changes to membrane structure in both transversal and lateral directions. Most importantly, our results suggest the alteration of the membrane-water interface. The water encroachment has shifted in the way that alcohol loaded bilayers absorbed more water molecules when compared to the neat lipid bilayers. The experimental results have been corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations to reveal further details. Namely, the order parameter profiles have been fruitful in correlating the mechanical model of structural changes to the effect of anesthesia.
Highlights
Alcohols and other general anesthetics have been used in surgical operations for over the century [1]
The most straightforward parameter obtained in small-angle neutron diffraction (SAND) measurements corresponds to The most straightforward parameter obtained in SAND measurements corresponds to
The incorporation of various tail length alcohols into lipid bilayers made of DOPC has been observed clearly in our of results obtained fromalcohols
Summary
Alcohols and other general anesthetics have been used in surgical operations for over the century [1]. The hypothesis based on the unspecific interactions between anesthetics and membrane lipids may be more plausible due to several facts, one of them being a wide spectrum of membrane proteins that are affected. In any of the cases, the general anesthetics, including aliphatic alcohols, offer an exciting example on the structure-function correlation sought that is out in biological membranes. The interest comes from the fact that membranes represent the interface between the cell and its environment, and from the possibility for controlling their properties and functionality through the addition of small molecules. Such an addition can be spontaneous and/or administered on purpose
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