Abstract
The spatial organization of lipids in biological membranes plays an important role in diverse cellular processes. Of particular interest are membrane rafts which are considered to enable cellular signaling and transport. Such membrane rafts are currently mimicked by liquid ordered (Lo) domains, observed in several lipid-only mixtures. The physical properties of such Lo domains and the coexisting liquid disordered (Ld) phase are presently not well known. We developed a global small-angle x-ray scattering data analysis for multilamellar vesicles that allows to determine membrane structural parameters and bending fluctuations of coexisting lipid domains. Different scattering length density profiles were used for modeling the lipid bilayers with increasing details and complexity. The technique was applied to mixtures of DOPC/DPPC/Chol and DOPC/DSPC/Chol. We determined membrane thickness as well as bending elasticity for Lo and Ld phases as a function of lipid composition and temperature. In particular, we discuss changes in these parameters upon the transition to a homogeneous phase.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
