Asymmetric lipid bilayers. Reponse to multivalent ions

Gasdermin D pores are dynamically regulated by local phosphoinositide circuitry

Gasdermin D forms large, ~21 nm diameter pores in the plasma membrane to drive the cell death program pyroptosis. These pores are thought to be permanently open, and the resultant osmotic imbalance is thought to be highly damaging. Yet some cells mitigate and survive pore formation, suggesting an undiscovered layer of regulation over the function of these pores. However, no methods exist to directly reveal these mechanistic details. Here, we combine optogenetic tools, live cell fluorescence biosensing, and electrophysiology to demonstrate that gasdermin pores display phosphoinositide-dependent dynamics. We quantify repeated and fast opening-closing of these pores on the tens of seconds timescale, visualize the dynamic pore geometry, and identify the signaling that controls dynamic pore activity. The identification of this circuit allows pharmacological tuning of pyroptosis and control of inflammatory cytokine release by living cells.

Lipid bilayer modules as determinants of K+ channel gating

The crystal structure of the sensorless pore module of a voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channel showed that lipids occupy a crevice between subunits. We asked if individual lipid monolayers of the bilayer embody independent modules linked to channel gating modulation. Functional studies using single channel current recordings of the sensorless pore module reconstituted in symmetric and asymmetric lipid bilayers allowed us to establish the deterministic role of lipid headgroup on gating. We discovered that individual monolayers with headgroups that coat the bilayer-aqueous interface with hydroxyls stabilize the channel open conformation. The hydroxyl need not be at a terminal position and the effect is not dependent on the presence of phosphate or net charge on the lipid headgroup. Asymmetric lipid bilayers allowed us to determine that phosphoglycerides with glycerol or inositol on the extracellular facing monolayer stabilize the open conformation of the channel. This indirect effect is attributed to a change in water structure at the membrane interface. By contrast, inclusion of the positively charged lysyl-dioleoyl-phosphatidylglycerol exclusively on the cytoplasmic facing monolayer of the bilayer increases drastically the probability of finding the channel open. Such modulation is mediated by a π-cation interaction between Phe-19 of the pore module and the lysyl moiety anchored to the phosphatidylglycerol headgroup. The new findings imply that the specific chemistry of the lipid headgroup and its selective location in either monolayer of the bilayer dictate the stability of the open conformation of a Kv pore module in the absence of voltage-sensing modules.

Why can artificial membranes be fabricated so rapidly in microfluidics?

Droplet interface bilayers are a convenient tool to produce and explore lipid membrane properties. We discuss why their formation time in microfluidics can be three to six orders of magnitude faster compared to conventional bulk settings.

Piezo proteins are pore-forming subunits of mechanically activated channels

Mechanotransduction has an important role in physiology. Biological processes including sensing touch and sound waves require as-yet-unidentified cation channels that detect pressure. Mouse Piezo1 (MmPiezo1) and MmPiezo2 (also called Fam38a and Fam38b, respectively) induce mechanically activated cationic currents in cells; however, it is unknown whether Piezo proteins are pore-forming ion channels or modulate ion channels. Here we show that Drosophila melanogaster Piezo (DmPiezo, also called CG8486) also induces mechanically activated currents in cells, but through channels with remarkably distinct pore properties including sensitivity to the pore blocker ruthenium red and single channel conductances. MmPiezo1 assembles as a ∼1.2-million-dalton homo-oligomer, with no evidence of other proteins in this complex. Purified MmPiezo1 reconstituted into asymmetric lipid bilayers and liposomes forms ruthenium-red-sensitive ion channels. These data demonstrate that Piezo proteins are an evolutionarily conserved ion channel family involved in mechanotransduction.

Transmembrane lipid migration in planar asymmetric bilayer membranes

Planar asymmetric bilayer membranes, formed by apposing a monolayer of the neutral lipid glyceroldioleate (GDO) with one of the negatively charged lipid oleyl acid phosphate (OAP), were used to measure the rate of transmembrane OAP migration. The assay for this lipid flip-flop was the interaction of Ca(2+) ions with negatively charged lipids which causes membranes to break: when Ca(2+) is added to the compartment limited initially by the neutral lipid, flip-flop of the charged lipid eventually results in membrane breakdown. At 22+/-2 degrees C, in the absence of an externally applied electric field, an upper limit to the half time of OAP flip-flop was measured as 18.7 h, with a tentative lower limit of 14.4 h.

Planar bilayer membranes made from phospholipid monolayers form by a thinning process

We investigated the manner in which planar phospholipid membranes form when monolayers are sequentially raised. Simultaneous electrical and optical recordings showed that initially a thick film forms, and the capacitance of the film increases with the same time course as the observed thinning. The diameter of fully thinned membranes varies from membrane to membrane and a torus is readily observed. The frequency-dependent admittance of the membrane was measured using a wide-bandwidth voltage clamp whose frequency response is essentially independent of capacitative load. The membrane capacitance dominates the total admittance and the membrane dielectric is not lossy. The specific capacitance of membranes of several mixtures was measured. A schematic diagram of the formation of these membranes is presented.

Phospholipid bilayers made from monolayers on patch-clamp pipettes

Phospholipid bilayers were made from phospholipid monolayers at the air/water interface on patch-clamp pipettes. Lipid bilayers were characterized using the K+ carrier nonactin and the channel formers gramicidin and alamethicin. Bilayers were also formed from monolayers spontaneously assembled in a suspension of native vesicles from cardiac sarcolemma and lobster axonal membranes and an excess of lipids. In these types of bilayers we observed several different channels including one contained in the axonal membrane that shows delayed rectifier behavior. This technique permits the study of reconstituted channels on a time scale and noise comparable to cellular patch-clamp standards.

The effect of microwave radiation on passive membrane properties of snail neurons

The effect of CW microwaves (2450-MHz, rate of energy absorption, 15.5 mW/g) on passive properties of neurons of the Helix snail was studied. After one hour of exposure, the electrical resistance and the time constant of the membrane diminished, respectively, by 22 and 26%. Irradiation against the background of injection of EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acidic acid) into the cell blocked the change in membrane resistance. In contrast, injection of DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) into the cell qualitatively mimiced the microwave effect.

The effect of surface charge density on valinomycin-K+ complex formation in model membranes

The model membrane approach was used to investigate the surface charge effect on the ion-antibiotic complexation process. Mixed monolayers of valinomycin and lipids were spread on subphases containing K+ or Na+. The surface charge density was modified by spreading ionizable valinomycin analogs on aqueous subphases of different pH or by changing the nature of the lipid (neutral, negatively charged) in the mixed film. Surface pressure and surface potential measurements demonstrated that a neutral lipid (phosphatidylcholine) or positively charged valinomycin analogs didn't enhance the anti-biotic complexing capacity. However, a maximal complexation is reached for a critical lipid concentration in the valinomycin-phosphatidylserine mixed film. The role of the surface charge on the valinomycin complexing properties was examined in terms of the Gouy-Chapman theory. As a consequence of the negative charge of the lipid monolayer, the K+ concentration near the surface is larger than the bulk concentration, by a Boltzmann factor. A good agreement was observed between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions. Conductance measurements of asymmetric bilayers containing a neutral lipid (egg lecithin) on one side and a negatively charged lipid (phosphatidyl-serine) on the other, confirm the role of the surface charge. Indeed, addition of K+ to the neutral side of the bilayer containing valinomycin had no effect on the conductance whereas addition of K+ to the charged side of the bilayer caused a 80-fold conductance increase.

Interaction of calcium with negative lipids in planar bilayer membranes. Influence of the solvent

The interaction of Ca++ with acidic phospholipids in black lipid films and lipid bilayers formed from two monolayers was studied by measuring their physical stability and conductance. It was found that the addition of CaCl2 to only one side of lipid bilayers formed from phosphatidylserine or cardiolipin does not appreciably change these parameters. In contrast, black films are unstable to the asymmetric addition of CaCl2. Therefore, the destabilizing effect of Ca++ cannot be attributed to a surface charge difference. The only variation in composition between both bilayer membranes, namely the solvent content of the bilayer, seems to be responsible for the distinctive effect of Ca++. A tentative explanation is presented.

The molecular organization of asymmetric lipid bilayers and lipid-peptide complexes

Oriented fatty acid bilayers with asymmetric distributions of lipid head group types, hydrocarbon chain lengths, and associated polypeptides have been analyzed by a combined use of high resolution electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The exclusion of fixatives, stains, and embedding materials has made it possible to relate unequivocally microscopic images to molecular composition. The ultrastructure of asymmetric bilayers has been determined by a novel analysis in which one half of the bilayer serves as a structural reference for the entire bilayer. Absolute electron density profiles at 7 A resolution have been computed for bilayers formed from long and short chain length lipids either segregated to opposite sides or mixed together in both sides of the bilayer. The data indicate that the two lipids self organize in a specific paired configuration. Detailed analysis of bilayers associated with poly-L-lysine shows that although this hydrophilic peptide resides near the lipid head group region, its presence alters the arrangement of the bilayer hydrocarbon chains.

Importance of glycerol and fatty acid residues on the ionic properties of phosphatidylglycerols at the air-water interface

Ionic properties of didodecanoylphosphatidylglycerol (C12PG), didodecanolyphosphatidyl-l'-propanol (C12PP), di-(12-methyl, 13-methyl)-pentadecanoylphosphatidylglycerols (C15PG) and dihexadecanoylphosphatidylglycerol (C16PG) have been studied at the air-water interface using titration experiments at constant ionic strength and film expansion experiments at constant pH, with Li+, Na+, K+ and Cs+ in the subphase. For each lipid, the apparent pK in the surface is strongly dependent on the subphase salt concentration and differs from expected intrinsic pK in the bulk. Discrimination between alkaline cations is observed. These results can be accounted for by strong surface potentials, which are satisfactorily calculated by using the Gouy and Chapman theory of the diffuse double layer. The comparison of C12PP and PG expansion data shows the importance of the glycerol residue of PG ionic properties, favouring penetration of cations in the films. Lipids in the liquid-crystalline state, such as C12-and C15PG, do not interact with alkaline cations as does C16PG in the gel phase. In particular, film condensations bring about a clear-cut discrimination between Na+ and K+. Results are discussed with regard to cation penetration and the structure of water at the interface. The importance on membrane functions of these strong surface potentials generated by PG monolayers is suggested.

Formation of planar bilayer membranes from lipid monolayers. A critique

The formation of planar bilayer membranes from lipid monolayers as described by Montal and Mueller (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 1972. 69:3561) is analyzed. Bilayers absolutely free of alkane solvents or other nonpolar hydrocarbons can be formed on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (e.g. Teflon) septa only if certain boundary conditions are satisfied. Measurements have been made of the contact angles between monolayer-coated water and PTFE in the presence and absence of alkane solvents. The measurement suggest that the boundary conditions for formation of stable bilayers can be satisfied only when a nonpolar solvent is present. We conclude that the bilayer must be surrounded by a torus of alkane solvent, petroleum jelly, or silicone grease depending upon the details of technique used to form the bilayer. The non-polar solvent used in the formation of the bilayer may or may not be present in the bilayer depending upon the water solubility and size of the solvent molecule relative to the size of the alkyl chain of the lipid. Detailed sketches describing the formation of bilayers from monolayers are presented.

Biochemical characteristics of the outer membranes of plant mitochondria

Like the outer membranes of liver mitochondria, those of plant mitochondria are impermeable to cytochrome c when intact and can be ruptured by osmotic shock. Isolated plant outer mitochondrial membranes are also similar to the corresponding liver membranes in terms of phospholipid and sterol content. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis experiments indicate that a single class of proteins (apparent molecular weight 30 000) comprises the bulk of the plant outer membrane protein. There are also considerable amounts of polysaccharide associated with these membranes, which may contribute to their osmotic stability.

Mechanism of inhibition of the proximal tubular isotonic fluid absorption by polylysine and other cationic polyamino acids

The present study was initiated with the hope of clarifying the role of negative charges in the luminal brush border membrane in the overall process of trans-epithelial isotonic sodium and water absorption. Using micropuncture techniques, cationic polyamino acids such as polylysine (mol wt 100,000, 17,000 and 1,500-5,000, 1 mg/ml), tetralysine, polyornithine (mol wt 100,000, 1mg/ml), polyethyleneimine (2 mg/ml), polymyxin B (2 mg/ml), protamine sulfate (25 mg/ml) and histone (0.5 mg/ml) were perfused through the segments of rat kidney proximal tubule for 30 sec to 2 min. The rate of isotonic fluid absorption was measured before and after each perfusion with the Gertz's split drop method using Ringer's solution as a shrinking drop. Polylysine 100,000 and 17,000 and polyornithine were the most potent, inhibiting isotonic reabsorption by 93%. The sequence of inhibitory effect was: polylysine 100,000 congruent to polyornithine 100,000 congruent to polylysine 17,000 greater than polyethyleneimine greater than polylysine 1,500-5,000 congruent to polymyxin B greater than protamine sulfate congruent to histone. In contrast, tetralysine (2 mg/ml) showed no inhibitory effect. Electrical potential difference (p.d.) of the proximal tubular cells was destroyed within 10 sec of luminal perfusion with polylysine 100,000 (1 mg/ml). Simultaneously with the drop in p.d., electrical resistance of the luminal brush border membrane was nearly totally eliminated, whereas transepithelial input resistance remained unaltered. Furthermore, trypan blue dye was taken up by polylysine 100,000-perfused tubular cells but not by normal cells. Expanding drop analysis (mannitol solution as a split drop) was performed as a screening test to examine if the permeability for water and sodium in the lateral paracellular pathway is altered by polylysine 100,000. No significant difference was observed in the velocity of split drop expansion between untreated and polylysine-perfused tubules. A lower concentration of polylysine 100,000 (0.1 mg/ml) showed a much less inhibitory effect on fluid absorption and on cell p.d. These observations indicate that the strong inhibition on proximal tubular fluid absorption exerted by polylysine and perhaps also by other cationic polyamino acids is due not to modification of membrane negative charges but to the lysis of tubular cells by these polycations.

Electrical capacity of black lipid films and of lipid bilayers made from monolayers

Planar bilayer membranes were formed from monolayers of a series of mono-unsaturated monoglycerides and lecithins. The hydrocarbon thickness of these membranes, as calculated from the electrical capacity, increases with the length of the fatty acid chain. The specific capacity of monoolein bilayers was found to be 0.745 muF/cm-2 which is nearly twice that of a monoolein black film made in the presence of decane, but is close to that obtained after freezing out the solvent from the black film. The hydrocarbon thickness of the bilayer, as calculated with a dielectric constant of 2.1, is considerably less than twice the length of the extended hydrocarbon chain of the monoglyceride. The specific capacity (Cm) of bilayers made from monoolein monolayers showed a negligible voltage dependence, whereas the Cm increased significantly at a voltage of 150 mV in the case of Mueller-Rudin-type monoolein films with n-decane as a solvent.