Exploring the interactions between glycolipid bilayers

Abstract

Lipid bilayers may be deposited onto molecularly smooth (mica) surfaces by the Langmuir-Blodgett deposition technique and the interbilayer force laws (force vs. distance) measured with the surface forces apparatus. Certain plasma membrane lipids (phospholipids, glycolipids and their mixtures) have been studied in this way in order to investigate the effect of carbohydrate moieties on the close approach and adhesion properties of the bilayer surfaces. Results indicate that long-range repulsive forces may be explained in terms of electrostatic (double-layer) interactions, short-range repulsions in terms of steric/hydration forces and short-range attractive forces may be ascribed to van der Waals interactions. However, the adhesive contacts obtained for the lipid mixtures are not simply a product of the characteristics of their constituent lipids, thus implying a certain synergistic glycolipid/phospholipid interaction.