Lipid Transition Research Articles

Pressure effect on the bilayer phase transition of asymmetric lipids with an unsaturated acyl chain

The bilayer phase transitions of mixed-chain lipids with monounsaturated acyl chain in the sn-2 position, 1-myristoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (MOPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), and 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SOPC), and with a polyunsaturated acyl chain in the sn-2 position, 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SLPC), 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SAPC), and 1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SDPC), were observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under ambient pressure and by light-transmittance measurements under high pressure. The DSC thermogram for each lipid bilayer showed only one transition between the lamellar gel and liquid crystalline phases. The introduction of one or two cis double bonds into the sn-2 acyl chain caused the significant depression of the main-transition temperature and an obvious decrease of enthalpy and volume changes associated with the transition. These features are attributable to loose packing of saturated and unsaturated acyl chains in the bilayer gel phase. The existence of four or six double bonds in the sn-2 chain produced no further decrease in the transition temperature, and in fact six double bonds caused a slight increase in the transition temperature. Thermodynamic properties associated with the bilayer phase transition were discussed.

Nonlinear Effect of Sucrose on Lamellar-Hexagonal Phase Transition Kinetics

The topological nature of the lamellar-hexagonal phase transition in lipids makes it a useful tool in the study of pore formation. This phase transition in lipid-water systems is sensitive to the addition of various solutes such as sucrose. In our study of lipid SOPE (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), we find that equilibrium lamellar-hexagonal phase transition temperature decreases linearly with sucrose concentration. However, we find that the phase transition kinetics vary in a strikingly nonlinear fashion. The speed of the transition greatly slows with even small concentrations of sucrose and then plateaus as the concentration increases.

Phase transition kinetics of lipid bilayer membranes studied by time-resolved pressure perturbation calorimetry

The relaxation kinetics of aqueous lipid dispersions after a pressure jump (p-jump) was investigated using time-resolved pressure perturbation calorimetry (PPC). Analysis of the calorimetric response curves by deconvolution with the instrumental response function gives information about slow processes connected with the lipid phase transition. The lipid transition from the gel to the liquid-crystalline state was found to be a multi-step process with relaxation constants in the seconds range resolvable by time-resolved PPC and faster processes with relaxation times shorter than ca. 5 s that could not be resolved by the instrument. The faster processes comprise ca. 50% of the total heat uptake at the transition midpoint. This is the first calorimetric measurement showing the multi-step nature of the transition. The results are in good agreement with data obtained with other detection methods and with molecular modelling experiments describing the transition as a multi-step process with nucleation and growth steps.

Coherent Multidimensional Vibrational Spectroscopy of Biomolecules: Concepts, Simulations, and Challenges

The response of complex molecules to sequences of femtosecond infrared pulses provides a unique window into their structure, dynamics, and fluctuating environments. Herein we survey the basic principles of modern two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy, which analogous to those of multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. The perturbative approach for computing the nonlinear optical response of coupled localized chromophores is introduced and applied to the amide backbone transitions of proteins, liquid water, membrane lipids, and amyloid fibrils. The signals are analyzed using classical molecular dynamics simulations combined with an effective fluctuating Hamiltonian for coupled localized anharmonic vibrations whose dependence on the local electrostatic environment is parameterized by an ab initio map. Several simulation methods, (cumulant expansion of Gaussian fluctuation, quasiparticle scattering, the stochastic Liouville equations, direct numerical propagation) are surveyed. Chirality-induced techniques which dramatically enhance the resolution are demonstrated. Signatures of conformational and hydrogen-bonding fluctuations, protein folding, and chemical-exchange processes are discussed.

Lipid bilayer pre-transition as the beginning of the melting process

We investigate the bilayer pre-transition exhibited by some lipids at temperatures below their main phase transition, and which is generally associated to the formation of periodic ripples in the membrane. Experimentally we focus on the anionic lipid dipalmytoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) at different ionic strengths, and on the neutral lipid dipalmytoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). From the analysis of differential scanning calorimetry traces of the two lipids we find that both pre- and main transitions are part of the same melting process. Electron spin resonance of spin labels and excitation generalized polarization of Laurdan reveal the coexistence of gel and fluid domains at temperatures between the pre- and main transitions of both lipids, reinforcing the first finding. Also, the melting process of DPPG at low ionic strength is found to be less cooperative than that of DPPC. From the theoretical side, we introduce a statistical model in which a next-nearest-neighbor competing interaction is added to the usual two-state model. For the first time, modulated phases (ordered and disordered lipids periodically aligned) emerge between the gel and fluid phases as a natural consequence of the competition between lipid–lipid interactions.

Structural relaxations of phospholipids and water in planar membranes

We have used dielectric spectroscopy and temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) to investigate the structural relaxation processes and phase transitions of water and lipids in multilamellar, planar phospholipids. At low hydration levels we observe the main structural relaxation related to the glass transition of the phospholipids. With increasing water content a more pronounced pretransition, attributed to a gel to ripple phase transition, is observed in the TMDSC data. In the proximity of this pretransition, a distinct change in the temperature dependence or alternatively a bifurcation into two processes is observed in the dielectric data. Around this temperature a crossover in the long-range ionic conductivity across the membranes is also observed, which is one of the key parameters for biological membranes. Thus, the major dynamical changes do not occur at the main, i.e., the gel to liquid structural phase transition, but at a pretransition that occurs roughly 20 K below the main transition.

Low Density Lipoproteins as Circulating Fast Temperature Sensors

BackgroundThe potential physiological significance of the nanophase transition of neutral lipids in the core of low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles is dependent on whether the rate is fast enough to integrate small (±2°C) temperature changes in the blood circulation.Methodology/Principal FindingsUsing sub-second, time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering technology with synchrotron radiation, we have monitored the dynamics of structural changes within LDL, which were triggered by temperature-jumps and -drops, respectively. Our findings reveal that the melting transition is complete within less than 10 milliseconds. The freezing transition proceeds slowly with a half-time of approximately two seconds. Thus, the time period over which LDL particles reside in cooler regions of the body readily facilitates structural reorientation of the apolar core lipids.Conclusions/SignificanceLow density lipoproteins, the biological nanoparticles responsible for the transport of cholesterol in blood, are shown to act as intrinsic nano-thermometers, which can follow the periodic temperature changes during blood circulation. Our results demonstrate that the lipid core in LDL changes from a liquid crystalline to an oily state within fractions of seconds. This may, through the coupling to the protein structure of LDL, have important repercussions on current theories of the role of LDL in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Lecithin based nanoemulsions: A comparative study of the influence of non-ionic surfactants and the cationic phytosphingosine on physicochemical behaviour and skin permeation

Charged drug delivery systems are interesting candidates for the delivery of drugs through skin. In the present study, it was possible to create negatively and positively charged oil/water nanoemulsions by using sucrose laureate and polysorbate 80 as non-ionic surfactants. The positively charged nanoemulsions were generated by adding cationic phytosphingosine (PS). The relationship between the physicochemical properties of the nanoemulsions was shown by particle size and zeta potential measurements. These properties were dependent on the type of non-ionic surfactant and the concentration of PS. Furthermore the cationic PS had a positive impact on the skin permeation rates (flux) of the incorporated model drugs fludrocortisone acetate and flumethasone pivalate. An enhancement factor between 1.1 and 1.5 was obtained in relation to the control. The interaction of pre-impregnated porcine skin with positively and negatively charged nanoemulsions was confirmed by DSC analysis. The generated DSC-curves showed a slight difference in the phase transition temperature assigned to the characteristic lipid transition. However, it was not possible to assign the effect to one of the ingredients in the multicomponent system.

Investigations of thermotropic phase behavior of newly developed synthetic PEGylated lipids using Raman spectro‐microscopy

In this article, a temperature-controlled Raman spectro-microscopic technique has been utilized to detect and analyze the phase behaviors of two newly developed synthetic PEGylated lipids trademarked as QuSomes, which spontaneously form liposomes upon hydration in contrast to conventional lipids. The amphiphiles considered in this study differ in their hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain length and contain different units of polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrophilic headgroups. Raman spectra of these new artificial lipids have been recorded in the spectral range of 500-3100 cm(-1) by using a Raman microscope system in conjunction with a temperature-controlled sample holder. The gel to liquid phase transitions of the sample lipids composed of pure 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol-3-dodecaethylene glycol (GDM-12) and 1,2-distearoyl-rac-glycerol-3-triicosaethylene glycol (GDS-23) have been revealed by plotting peak intensity ratios in the C-H stretching region as a function of temperature. From this study, we have found that the main phase transitions occur at a temperature of approximately 5.2 and 21.2 degrees C for pure GDM-12 and GDS-23, respectively. Furthermore, the lipid GDS-23 also shows a postphase transition temperature at 33.6 degrees C. To verify our results, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments have been conducted and the results are found to be in an excellent agreement with Raman scattering data. This important information may find application in various studies including the development of lipid-based novel substances and drug delivery systems.

Effects of copper and cadmium ions on the physicochemical properties of lipids of the marine bacterium Pseudomonas putida IB28 at different growth temperatures

The phospholipid and fatty acid composition and thermotropic behavior of total lipids were studied in the metal-accumulating marine strain Pseudomonas putida IB28 grown in the presence of Cu2+ and Cd2+ at 4 and 24°C. Despite the changes in acidic lipid content, unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio, and cyclopropane fatty acid level, the temperature range of calorimetric phase transitions of bacterial total lipids was slightly altered under these factors. The suppressive action of heavy metals on bacterial growth is attributable to the phase separation of lipids and, as a consequence, to a sharp increase in the ion permeability of the lipid bilayer. The increase in acidic phospholipid level under the influence of Cu2+ and Cd2+, especially at 24°C, is likely to be indicative of their complexation with heavy metal ions.

Rafts making and rafts braking: how plant flavonoids may control membrane heterogeneity

Plant flavonoids are not only known as powerful antioxidants, but also as cell metabolism regulators. It has been postulated that they are able to control cell signal pathways by targeting receptors on the cell surface or by intercalating the lipid bilayer of membranes. Some flavonoids can increase lipid viscosity and decrease the cooperativity of hydrocarbon chain melting, while others can considerably decrease the lipid melting temperature, thus providing additional freedom for lipid diffusion. Here we discuss the ability of flavonoids to influence phase transition and lateral segregation of lipids, responsible for the formation of membrane compartments known as lipid rafts. The thermodynamic parameters of the bilayer determined by lipid packing characteristics and by lateral segregation of the bilayer are expected to depend on the location of flavonoid molecules in the bilayer. Flavonoid molecules preferably located in the hydrophobic region of the bilayer can initiate formation of raft-like domains (raft-making effect), while the molecules located in the polar interface region of the bilayer can fluidize membranes (raft-breaking effect), or initiate formation of interdigitated or micellar structures. Accordingly, we expect that in cellular membranes flavonoids can influence the appearance and development of rafts or raft-like membrane domains and thus influence the lateral diffusion of lipid molecules. Because rafts participate in cellular signal transduction, endocytosis and transmembrane translocation of different compounds, flavonoids may control cell metabolism by modulating the bilayer state.

Seasonal changes of fatty acid composition and thermotropic behavior of polar lipids from marine macrophytes

Major glyco- and phospholipids as well as betaine lipid 1,2-diacylglycero- O-4′-( N,N,N-tri-methyl)-homoserine (DGTS) were isolated from five species of marine macrophytes harvested in the Sea of Japan in summer and winter at seawater temperatures of 20–23 and 3 °C, respectively. GC and DSC analysis of lipids revealed a common increase of ratio between n−3 and n−6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of polar lipids from summer to winter despite their chemotaxonomically different fatty acid (FA) composition. Especially, high level of different n−3 PUFAs was observed in galactolipids in winter. However, the rise in FA unsaturation did not result in the lowering of peak maximum temperature of phase transition of photosynthetic lipids (glycolipids and phosphatidylglycerol (PG)) in contrast to non-photosynthetic ones [phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)]. Different thermotropic behavior of these lipid groups was accompanied by higher content of n−6 PUFAs from the sum of n−6 and n−3 PUFAs in PC and PE compared with glycolipids and PG in both seasons. Seasonal changes of DSC transitions and FA composition of DGTS studied for the first time were similar to PC and PE. Thermograms of all polar lipids were characterized by complex profiles and located in a wide temperature range between −130 and 80 °C, while the most evident phase separation occurred in PGs in both seasons. Polarizing microscopy combined with DSC has shown that the liquid crystal – isotropic melt transitions of polar lipids from marine macrophytes began from 10 to 30 °C mostly, which can cause the thermal sensitivity of plants to superoptimal temperatures in their environment.

Transdermal Delivery of Carvedilol Containing Glycyrrhizin and Chitosan as Permeation Enhancers: Biochemical, Biophysical, Microscopic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation

The present study was aimed at unveiling the influence of glycyrrhizin and chitosan on rat epidermis and to correlate these effects with percutaneous permeation characteristics of carvedilol. The permeation of carvedilol across excised rat epidermis was significantly higher (p < 0.05) when glycyrrhizin, chitosan, or glycyrrhizin–chitosan mixture was used as a donor vehicle as compared to propylene glycol:ethanol (7:3) mixture. Epidermis obtained after 12 hr treatment of viable rat skin with a glycyrrhizin–chitosan mixture showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) permeability to carvedilol as compared to that after treatment with glycyrrhizin or chitosan alone. Further, the application of patches containing glycyrrhizin–chitosan mixture resulted in sustained release of carvedilol, which was able to control the hypertension in deoxycorticosterone acetate induced hypertensive rats through 28 hr. Estimation of microconstituents in rat epidermis revealed maximum extraction of cholesterol, sphingosine, and triglycerides after treatment with glycyrrhizin–chitosan mixture. This was manifested in altered lipid and protein-specific thermotropic transitions. Further, increase in intercellular space, disordered lipid structure and corneocyte detachment as observed in SEM and TEM suggests great potential of glycyrrhizin for use as a percutaneous permeation enhancer.

Secondary Structure of the MiRP1 (KCNE2) Potassium Channel Ancillary Subunit

MiRP1 (encoded by the KCNE2 gene) is one of a family of five single transmembrane domain voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel ancillary subunits currently under intense scrutiny to establish their position in channel complexes and elucidate alpha subunit contact points, but its structure is unknown. MiRP1 mutations are associated with inherited and acquired cardiac arrhythmia. Here, synthetic peptides corresponding to human MiRP1 (full-length and separate domains) were structurally analyzed using FTIR and CD spectroscopy. The N-terminal (extracellular) domain was soluble and predominantly non-ordered in aqueous media, but predominantly alpha-helical in L-alpha-lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) micelles. The MiRP1 transmembrane domain was predominantly a mixture of alpha-helix and non-ordered structure in LPC micelles, with a minor contribution from non-aggregated beta-strand. The intracellular C-terminal domain was insoluble in aqueous solution; reconstitution into non-aqueous environments resulted in solubility and adoption of increasing amounts of alpha-helix, with the solvent order sodium dodecyl sulphate < dimyristoyl L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) < LPC < trifluoroethanol. Correlation of secondary structure changes with lipid transition temperature during heating suggested that the MiRP1 C-terminus incorporates into DMPC bilayers. Full-length MiRP1 was soluble in SDS micelles and calculated to contain 34% alpha-helix, 23% beta-strand and 43% non-ordered structure in this environment, as determined by CD spectroscopy. Thus, MiRP1 is highly dependent upon hydrophobic interaction via lipid and/or protein contacts for adoption of ordered structure without nonspecific aggregation, consistent with a role as a membrane-spanning subunit within Kv channel complexes. These data will provide a structural framework for ongoing mutagenesis-based in situ structure-function studies of MiRP1 and its relatives.

Gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric studies on glycerin-induced skin hydration

A thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were carried out to characterize the water property and an alteration of lipid phase transition of stratum corneum (SC) by glycerin. In addition, the relationship between steady state skin permeation rate and skin hydration in various concentrations of glycerin was investigated. Water vapor absorption-desorption was studied in the hairless mouse stratum corneum. Dry SC samples were exposed to different conc. of glycerin (0-50%) followed by exposure to dry air and the change in weight property was monitored over time by use of TGA. In DSC study, significant decrease in DeltaH of the lipid transition in 10% glycerin and water treated sample: the heat of lipid transition of normal, water, 10% glycerin treated SC were 6.058, 4.412 and 4.316 mJ/mg, respectively. In 10% glycerin treated SCs, the Tc of water shifts around 129 degrees C, corresponding to the weakly bound secondary water. In 40% glycerin treated SC, the Tc of water shifts to 144 degrees C corresponding to strongly bound primary water. There was a good correlation between the hydration property of the skin and the steady state skin flux with the correlation coefficient (r2=0.94). As the hydration increased, the steady state flux increased. As glycerin concentration increased, hydration property decreased. High diffusivity induced by the hydration effect of glycerin and water could be the major contributing factor for the enhanced skin permeation of nicotinic acid (NA).

Synergistic enhancement of skin permeability by N-lauroylsarcosine and ethanol

To develop formulations for transdermal drug delivery, this study tested the hypothesis that the anionic surfactant, N-lauroylsarcosine (NLS), and ethanol synergistically increase skin permeability by increasing the fluidity of stratum corneum lipid structure. Skin permeability experiments showed that transdermal delivery of fluorescein across human cadaver epidermis was increased by up to 47-fold using formulations containing NLS in aqueous ethanol solutions. Skin permeability was increased by increasing NLS concentration in combination with 25–50% ethanol solutions. Skin permeability was shown to correlate with skin electrical conductivity measurements, changes in differential scanning calorimetry lipid transition peak temperature, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy C H stretching peak shifts indicative of stratum corneum lipid fluidization and changes in protein conformation. Evidence for lipid extraction was also evident, but did not appear to be responsible for the observed increases in skin permeability. We conclude that NLS in aqueous ethanol formulations can dramatically increase skin permeability by a mechanism involving synergistic lipid-fluidization activity in the stratum corneum.

Interaction of lipid nanoparticles with human epidermis and an organotypic cell culture model

Various lipid nanoparticle formulations were investigated with respect to (trans)dermal drug delivery with special regard to the mechanism of their effects on human and an organotypic cell culture epidermis. Potential alterations of stratum corneum lipid domains were studied using fluorescence assays with labeled liposomes and thermal analysis of isolated stratum corneum. Influences on the permeation of corticosterone were investigated and the occlusive properties of the nanoparticles were determined by measurements of the transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The penetration of a fluorescence dye was visualized by fluorescence microscopy of cross sections of human epidermis after incubation with cubic and solid lipid nanoparticles. Corticosterone permeation was limited when applied in matrix-type lipid nanoparticles (fat emulsion, smectic and solid lipid nanoparticles). An adhesion of solid lipid nanoparticles was clearly observed in thermal analysis as reflected by additional phase transitions probably caused by the nanoparticle matrix lipid. However, as for the other matrix-type nanoparticles, no distinct alterations of the phase transitions of the stratum corneum lipids were observed. Cubic nanoparticles led to the most predominant effect on skin permeation where the surface-active matrix lipid may act as penetration enhancer. An alteration of the stratum corneum lipids’ thermal behavior as well as an interaction with fluorescence labeled liposomes was observed. Differences observed in permeation studies and thermal analysis of human and cell culture epidermis indicate that surface lipids, which are not present to the same extent in the cell culture model than in human epidermis, seem to play an important role.

Characterisation of oat bran products with and without supercritical carbon dioxide extraction

SummaryMorphology, starch structures and thermal and pasting properties of oat bran concentrate (OBC) and Nutrim‐OB (NOB), a jet‐cooked oat bran product, with or without supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCD) were studied. Oil composition was analysed. OBC had three thermal transitions, starch gelatinisation and two amylose–lipid complex transitions. NOB only had amorphous amylose–lipid transition. SCD significantly decreased gelatinisation temperatures of OBC. Pasting properties, showed NOB had significantly higher peak viscosity and breakdown, with significantly lower final viscosity, setback and pasting temperature compared with OBC. SCD increased peak viscosity for NOB and final viscosity for OBC. Thermogravimetric analysis showed NOB had higher water‐holding capacity (WHC) than OBC, while SCD decreased WHC. Amylopectin molecular weight was 3.4 × 108 for OBC and was significantly lower for NOB (1.4 × 108). Predominant fatty acids were oleic (41%), linoleic (38%) and palmitic (16%). Study showed NOB had different properties from OBC thereby expanding industrial applications.

Thermotropic behavior of lipids and the morphology of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis cells with a high content of lysophosphatidylethanolamine

The content of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) in Y. pseudotuberculosis cells was found to increase during their growth at 8 degrees C under stationary conditions (without stirring the medium) and at 37 degrees C when the medium contained glucose. The maximum level of LPE (up to 45% of the total phospholipids) was observed in cells grown at 8 degrees C under stationary conditions. Such cells showed an enhanced growth rate, a reduced yield of biomass, an altered cell morphology, and an increased cell area. The cells contained unsaturated fatty acids, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and total phospholipids in small amounts, whereas neutral lipids and diphosphatidylglycerol were abundant. In addition, the cells contained an amount of methylated PE and phospholipids of unknown structure. Irrespective of whether the temperature for growth was low or high, the LPE-rich cells showed a high value (32-36 degrees C) of the maximum temperature of thermal transition of lipids (Tmax). This finding is indicative of a densification of the membrane lipid matrix of the LPE-rich cells. The suggestion is made that LPE is accumulated in glucose-fermenting bacterial cells in response to stress caused by oxygen deficiency and low pH values of the growth medium. The possible relationship between LPE accumulation and the virulence of Y. pseudotuberculosis cells grown at low temperatures is discussed.

PLCγ is enriched on poly-phosphoinositide-rich vesicles to control nuclear envelope assembly

Nuclear envelope assembly is an essential event in each cell cycle but the proteins and lipids involved in its regulation remain mostly unknown. Assembly involves membrane fusions but neither specific SNAREs nor Rab GTPases have been identified in its control. We report that a precursor membrane population (MV1) required for NE assembly has a unique lipid composition consisting prominently of poly-phosphatidylinositides. The lipid composition was determined by adapting HPLC electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry to phosphoinositide analysis, revealing the capacity of this technique to document dynamic lipid transitions of functional importance in natural membrane populations. MV1 is >100-fold enriched in endogenous PLCγ and >25-fold enriched in the PLC substrate phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) compared to the second membrane population, derived largely from endoplasmic reticulum (ER), that contributes most of the NE. During NE formation PLCγ becomes transiently phosphorylated at the tyrosine 783 site indicative of its activation. In addition specific inhibition of PLCγ blocks nuclear envelope formation. In vivo, PLCγ is concentrated on vesicles of similar size to purified MV1. These associate with nuclei during the period of NE formation and are distinct from ER membranes. The unprecedented concentration of PLCγ and its substrate PtdInsP2 in a subset of membranes that binds to only two regions of the nucleus, and activation of PLCγ by GTP during initial stages of NE formation provide a mechanism for temporal control of NE assembly and offer an explanation for how such a process of membrane fusion can be spatially regulated.