Structure characterization and stability of mixed lipid/protein monolayer at the air/water interface

Abstract

Abstract A mixed protein/lipid monolayer has been constructed by the protein adsorption from subphase into the spread phospholipid monolayer. A precisely controlled pump was used to exchange the protein solution with different pH values after the protein was ensured to reach the less condensed surface. The domains formed in the coexistence region of D-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (D-DPPC) have been recorded by Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) combined with the film balance before and after the penetration of the protein, human serum albumin (HSA). The subphase was exchanged by gradually increasing or decreasing pH value of the solution. Three isotherms of the mixed D-DPPC/HSA monolayer with the subphase of pH=4.2, pH=7.0 and pH=9.1, respectively, were obtained. It indicated that the area per lipid molecule with protein increased as the subphase pH value was lowed. Simultaneously, morphological dynamic changes caused by the gradual changing on subphase pH were observed. These variations can be ascribed to the conformation change of protein under the fluctuation of pH value. The hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between the phospholipid and HSA were as considered for the interpretation of domain change based on the current experimental results