Abstract
The creation of effective fungal membrane models for neutron and X-ray reflectometry experiments is a key step in the development of new antifungal pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals to allow in vitro investigation of their mode of interaction with target cells. The structure of the obtained models depends on the properties of the lipids used and the final composition of the leaflets, and can be subject to the spontaneous translocation of phospholipids across the bilayer. The effect of phospholipid acyl-chain unsaturation and the presence of steroids in the membrane on the bilayer asymmetry were examined by means of neutron reflectometry. The measurements showed that membrane stability was higher if a zwitterionic, saturated acyl-chain phospholipid is present as the inner leaflet. Furthermore, membrane asymmetry was higher in the case of fully saturated lipid systems. As a result, membrane models consisting of fully saturated acyl chains within the inner leaflet are recommended as the starting point for subsequent studies of antifungal interactions owing to the simplicity of the models and their relative stability, thus allowing better control over the exact lipid composition facing the tested antifungal.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Acta crystallographica. Section D, Structural biology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
