1
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Pabst G, Heerklotz H. After the gold rush: Getting far from the shallow in studying asymmetric membranes. Biophys J 2024; 123:2355-2357. [PMID: 38902925 PMCID: PMC11365099 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Pabst
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Heiko Heerklotz
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; BIOSS Signaling Research Center, Freiburg, Germany
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2
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Deserno M. Biomembranes balance many types of leaflet asymmetries. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 87:102832. [PMID: 38735128 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Many biological membranes host different lipid species in their two leaflets. Since their spontaneous curvatures are typically not the same, this compositional asymmetry generally entails bending torques, which can be counteracted by differential stress-the difference between the two leaflet tensions. This stress, in turn, can affect elastic parameters or phase behavior of the membrane or each individual leaflet, or push easily flippable species, especially cholesterol, from the compressed leaflet into the tense leaflet. In short, breaking the symmetry of a single observable (to wit: composition), essentially breaks all other symmetries as well, with many potentially interesting consequences. This brief report examines the elastic aspects of this interplay, focusing on some elementary conditions of mechanical and thermodynamic equilibrium, but also shows how this poses novel questions that we are only beginning to appreciate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Deserno
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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3
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Huster D, Maiti S, Herrmann A. Phospholipid Membranes as Chemically and Functionally Tunable Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312898. [PMID: 38456771 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The sheet-like lipid bilayer is the fundamental structural component of all cell membranes. Its building blocks are phospholipids and cholesterol. Their amphiphilic structure spontaneously leads to the formation of a bilayer in aqueous environment. Lipids are not just structural elements. Individual lipid species, the lipid membrane structure, and lipid dynamics influence and regulate membrane protein function. An exciting field is emerging where the membrane-associated material properties of different bilayer systems are used in designing innovative solutions for widespread applications across various fields, such as the food industry, cosmetics, nano- and biomedicine, drug storage and delivery, biotechnology, nano- and biosensors, and computing. Here, the authors summarize what is known about how lipids determine the properties and functions of biological membranes and how this has been or can be translated into innovative applications. Based on recent progress in the understanding of membrane structure, dynamics, and physical properties, a perspective is provided on how membrane-controlled regulation of protein functions can extend current applications and even offer new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Huster
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sudipta Maiti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai, 400 005, India
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department Chemistry and Biochemistry, SupraFAB, Altensteinstr. 23a, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
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4
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Caselli L, Conti L, De Santis I, Berti D. Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering applied to lipid-based nanoparticles: Recent advancements across different length scales. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 327:103156. [PMID: 38643519 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs), ranging from nanovesicles to non-lamellar assemblies, have gained significant attention in recent years, as versatile carriers for delivering drugs, vaccines, and nutrients. Small-angle scattering methods, employing X-rays (SAXS) or neutrons (SANS), represent unique tools to unveil structure, dynamics, and interactions of such particles on different length scales, spanning from the nano to the molecular scale. This review explores the state-of-the-art on scattering methods applied to unveil the structure of lipid-based nanoparticles and their interactions with drugs and bioactive molecules, to inform their rational design and formulation for medical applications. We will focus on complementary information accessible with X-rays or neutrons, ranging from insights on the structure and colloidal processes at a nanoscale level (SAXS) to details on the lipid organization and molecular interactions of LNPs (SANS). In addition, we will review new opportunities offered by Time-resolved (TR)-SAXS and -SANS for the investigation of dynamic processes involving LNPs. These span from real-time monitoring of LNPs structural evolution in response to endogenous or external stimuli (TR-SANS), to the investigation of the kinetics of lipid diffusion and exchange upon interaction with biomolecules (TR-SANS). Finally, we will spotlight novel combinations of SAXS and SANS with complementary on-line techniques, recently enabled at Large Scale Facilities for X-rays and neutrons. This emerging technology enables synchronized multi-method investigation, offering exciting opportunities for the simultaneous characterization of the structure and chemical or mechanical properties of LNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Caselli
- Physical Chemistry 1, University of Lund, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Laura Conti
- Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Ilaria De Santis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy
| | - Debora Berti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence 50019, Italy; Consorzio Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
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5
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Pabst G, Keller S. Exploring membrane asymmetry and its effects on membrane proteins. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:333-345. [PMID: 38355393 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Plasma membranes utilize free energy to maintain highly asymmetric, non-equilibrium distributions of lipids and proteins between their two leaflets. In this review we discuss recent progress in quantitative research enabled by using compositionally controlled asymmetric model membranes. Both experimental and computational studies have shed light on the nuanced mechanisms that govern the structural and dynamic coupling between compositionally distinct bilayer leaflets. This coupling can increase the membrane bending rigidity and induce order - or lipid domains - across the membrane. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that integral membrane proteins not only respond to asymmetric lipid distributions but also exhibit intriguing asymmetric properties themselves. We propose strategies to advance experimental research, aiming for a deeper, quantitative understanding of membrane asymmetry, which carries profound implications for cellular physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Pabst
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Sandro Keller
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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6
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Pašalić L, Maleš P, Čikoš A, Pem B, Bakarić D. The rise of FTIR spectroscopy in the characterization of asymmetric lipid membranes. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2024; 305:123488. [PMID: 37813090 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to symmetric unilamellar liposomes (sLUVs) prepared from a mixture of different lipids, asymmetric ones (aLUVs) with different lipid composition in the inner and outer membrane leaflets are more suitable model systems of eukaryotic plasma membranes. However, apart from the challenging preparation of asymmetric liposomes and small amounts of obtained asymmetric unilamellar liposomes (aLUVs), a major drawback is the qualitative characterization of asymmetry, as each of the techniques used so far has certain limitations. In this regard, we prepared aLUVs composed dominantly of DPPC(out)/DPPS(in) lipids and, along with 1H NMR and DSC characterization, we showed for the first time how FTIR spectroscopy can be used in the presence of (a)symmetry between DPPC/DPPS lipid bilayers. Using second derivative FTIR spectra we demonstrated not only that the hydration of lipids glycerol backbone and choline moiety of DPPC differs in s/aLUVs, but in addition that the lateral interactions between hydrocarbon chains during the phase change display different trend in s/aLUVs. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed different chain ordering and packing between s/a bilayers, with a significant influence of temperature, i.e. membrane phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Pašalić
- Division for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petra Maleš
- Division for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Čikoš
- The Centre for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Barbara Pem
- Division for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Danijela Bakarić
- Division for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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7
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Balleza D. Peptide Flexibility and the Hydrophobic Moment are Determinants to Evaluate the Clinical Potential of Magainins. J Membr Biol 2023; 256:317-330. [PMID: 37097306 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-023-00286-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Using a flexibility prediction algorithm and in silico structural modeling, we have calculated the intrinsic flexibility of several magainin derivatives. In the case of magainin-2 (Mag-2) and magainin H2 (MAG-H2) we have found that MAG-2 is more flexible than its hydrophobic analog, Mag-H2. This affects the degree of bending of both peptides, with a kink around two central residues (R10, R11), whereas, in Mag-H2, W10 stiffens the peptide. Moreover, this increases the hydrophobic moment of Mag-H2, which could explain its propensity to form pores in POPC model membranes, which exhibit near-to-zero spontaneous curvatures. Likewise, the protective effect described in DOPC membranes for this peptide regarding its facilitation in pore formation would be related to the propensity of this lipid to form membranes with negative spontaneous curvature. The flexibility of another magainin analog (MSI-78) is even greater than that of Mag-2. This facilitates the peptide to present a kind of hinge around the central F12 as well as a C-terminal end prone to be disordered. Such characteristics are key to understanding the broad-spectrum antimicrobial actions exhibited by this peptide. These data reinforce the hypothesis on the determinant role of spontaneous membrane curvature, intrinsic peptide flexibility, and specific hydrophobic moment in assessing the bioactivity of membrane-active antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Balleza
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Alimentos, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Veracruz, Mexico.
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8
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Doktorova M, Levental I, Heberle FA. Seeing the Membrane from Both Sides Now: Lipid Asymmetry and Its Strange Consequences. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2023; 15:a041393. [PMID: 37604588 PMCID: PMC10691478 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Almost all biomembranes are constructed as lipid bilayers and, in almost all of these, the two opposing monolayers (leaflets) have distinct lipid compositions. This lipid asymmetry arises through the concerted action of a suite of energy-dependent enzymes that maintain living bilayers in a far-from-equilibrium steady-state. Recent discoveries reveal that lipid compositional asymmetry imparts biophysical asymmetries and that this dualistic organization may have major consequences for cellular physiology. Importantly, while transbilayer asymmetry appears to be an essential, near-ubiquitous characteristic of biological membranes, it has been challenging to reproduce in reconstituted or synthetic systems. Although recent methodological developments have overcome some critical challenges, it remains difficult to extrapolate results from available models to biological systems. Concurrently, there are few experimental approaches for targeted, controlled manipulation of lipid asymmetry in living cells. Thus, the biophysical and functional consequences of membrane asymmetry remain almost wholly unexplored. This perspective summarizes the current state of knowledge and highlights emerging themes that are beginning to make inroads into the fundamental question of why life tends toward asymmetry in its bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milka Doktorova
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Ilya Levental
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
| | - Frederick A Heberle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
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9
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Li M, Gasanoff ES. Cationic Proteins Rich in Lysine Residue Trigger Formation of Non-bilayer Lipid Phases in Model and Biological Membranes: Biophysical Methods of Study. J Membr Biol 2023; 256:373-391. [PMID: 37735238 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-023-00292-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Cationic membrane-active toxins are the most abundant group of proteins in the venom of snakes and insects. Cationic proteins such as cobra venom cytotoxin and bee venom melittin are known for their pharmacological reactions including anticancer and antimicrobial effects which arise from the toxin-induced alteration in the dynamics and structure of plasma membranes and membranes of organelles. It has been established that these cationic toxins trigger the formation of non-bilayer lipid phase transitions in artificial and native mitochondrial membranes. Remarkably, the toxin-induced formation of non-bilayer lipid phase increases at certain conditions mitochondrial ATP synthase activity. This observation opens an intriguing avenue for using cationic toxins in the development of novel drugs for the treatment of cellular energy deficiency caused by aging and diseases. This observation also warrants a thorough investigation of the molecular mechanism(s) of lipid phase polymorphisms triggered by cationic proteins. This article presents a review on the application of powerful biophysical methods such as resonance spectroscopy (31P-, 1H-, 2H-nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron paramagnetic resonance), luminescence, and differential scanning microcalorimetry in studies of non-bilayer lipid phase transitions triggered by cationic proteins in artificial and biological membranes. A phenomenon of the triggered by cationic proteins the non-bilayer lipid phase transitions occurring within 10-2-10-11 s is discussed in the context of potential pharmacological applications of cationic proteins. Next to the ATP dimer is an inverted micelle made of cardiolipin that serves as a vehicle for the transport of H+ ions from the intra-crista space to the matrix. It is proposed that such inverted micelles are triggered by the high density of H+ ions and the cationic proteins rich in lysine residue which compete with the conserved lysine residues of the ATP synthase rotor for binding to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane and perturb the bilayer lipid packing of cristae. Phospholipids with a blue polar head represent cardiolipin and those with a red polar head represent other phospholipids found in the crista membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyi Li
- STEM Research Centre, Science Department, Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy, Beijing, 100018, China
| | - Edward S Gasanoff
- STEM Research Centre, Science Department, Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy, Beijing, 100018, China.
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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10
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Shi Y, Ruan H, Xu Y, Zou C. Cholesterol, Eukaryotic Lipid Domains, and an Evolutionary Perspective of Transmembrane Signaling. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2023; 15:a041418. [PMID: 37604587 PMCID: PMC10626259 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane signaling is essential for complex life forms. Communication across a bilayer lipid barrier is elaborately organized to convey precision and to fine-tune strength. Looking back, the steps that it has taken to enable this seemingly mundane errand are breathtaking, and with our survivorship bias, Darwinian. While this review is to discuss eukaryotic membranes in biological functions for coherence and theoretical footing, we are obliged to follow the evolution of the biological membrane through time. Such a visit is necessary for our hypothesis that constraints posited on cellular functions are mainly via the biomembrane, and relaxation thereof in favor of a coordinating membrane environment is the molecular basis for the development of highly specialized cellular activities, among them transmembrane signaling. We discuss the obligatory paths that have led to eukaryotic membrane formation, its intrinsic ability to signal, and how it set up the platform for later integration of protein-based receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Shi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine; Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Hefei Ruan
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine; Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yanni Xu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine; Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chunlin Zou
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Medicine; Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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11
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Paez-Perez M, Dent MR, Brooks NJ, Kuimova MK. Viscosity-Sensitive Membrane Dyes as Tools To Estimate the Crystalline Structure of Lipid Bilayers. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12006-12014. [PMID: 37526607 PMCID: PMC10433245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Lipid membranes are crucial for cellular integrity and regulation, and tight control of their structural and mechanical properties is vital to ensure that they function properly. Fluorescent probes sensitive to the membrane's microenvironment are useful for investigating lipid membrane properties; however, there is currently a lack of quantitative correlation between the exact parameters of lipid organization and a readout from these dyes. Here, we investigate this relationship for "molecular rotors", or microviscosity sensors, by simultaneously measuring their fluorescence lifetime to determine the membrane viscosity, while using X-ray diffraction to determine the membrane's structural properties. Our results reveal a phase-dependent correlation between the membrane's structural parameters and mechanical properties measured by a BODIPY-based molecular rotor, giving excellent predictive power for the structural descriptors of the lipid bilayer. We also demonstrate that differences in membrane thickness between different lipid phases are not a prerequisite for the formation of lipid microdomains and that this requirement can be disrupted by the presence of line-active molecules. Our results underpin the use of membrane-sensitive dyes as reporters of the structure of lipid membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Paez-Perez
- MSRH, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Michael R. Dent
- MSRH, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Nicholas J. Brooks
- MSRH, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | - Marina K. Kuimova
- MSRH, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
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12
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Frewein MPK, Piller P, Semeraro EF, Czakkel O, Gerelli Y, Porcar L, Pabst G. Distributing aminophospholipids asymmetrically across leaflets causes anomalous membrane stiffening. Biophys J 2023; 122:2445-2455. [PMID: 37120716 PMCID: PMC10322881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We studied the mechanical leaflet coupling of prototypic mammalian plasma membranes using neutron spin-echo spectroscopy. In particular, we examined a series of asymmetric phospholipid vesicles with phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin enriched in the outer leaflet and inner leaflets composed of phosphatidylethanolamine/phosphatidylserine mixtures. The bending rigidities of most asymmetric membranes were anomalously high, exceeding even those of symmetric membranes formed from their cognate leaflets. Only asymmetric vesicles with outer leaflets enriched in sphingolipid displayed bending rigidities in conformity with these symmetric controls. We performed complementary small-angle neutron and x-ray experiments on the same vesicles to examine possible links to structural coupling mechanisms, which would show up in corresponding changes in membrane thickness. In addition, we estimated differential stress between leaflets originating either from a mismatch of their lateral areas or spontaneous curvatures. However, no correlation with asymmetry-induced membrane stiffening was observed. To reconcile our findings, we speculate that an asymmetric distribution of charged or H-bond forming lipids may induce an intraleaflet coupling, which increases the weight of hard undulatory modes of membrane fluctuations and hence the overall membrane stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz P K Frewein
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Graz, Austria; Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, Graz, Austria
| | - Paulina Piller
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, Graz, Austria
| | - Enrico F Semeraro
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Yuri Gerelli
- CNR Institute for Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza, Roma, Italy; Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Georg Pabst
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, Graz, Austria.
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13
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Li S, Huang F, Xia T, Shi Y, Yue T. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Sensing Lipid Raft via Inter-Leaflet Coupling Regulated by Acyl Chain Length of Sphingomyelin. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:5995-6005. [PMID: 37086192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c03492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is an important molecule located at the inner leaflet of cell membrane, where it serves as anchoring sites for a cohort of membrane-associated molecules and as a broad-reaching signaling intermediate. The lipid raft is thought as the major platform recruiting proteins for signal transduction and also known to mediate PIP2 accumulation across the membrane. While the significance of this cross-membrane coupling is increasingly appreciated, it remains unclear whether and how PIP2 senses the dynamic change of the ordered lipid domains over the packed hydrophobic core of the bilayer. Herein, by means of molecular dynamic simulation, we reveal that inner PIP2 molecules can sense the outer lipid domain via inter-leaflet coupling, and the coupling manner is dictated by the acyl chain length of sphingomyelin (SM) partitioned to the lipid domain. Shorter SM promotes membrane domain registration, whereby PIP2 accumulates beneath the domain across the membrane. In contrast, the anti-registration is thermodynamically preferred if the lipid domain has longer SM due to the hydrophobic mismatch between the corresponding acyl chains in SM and PIP2. In this case, PIP2 is expelled by the domain with a higher diffusivity. These results provide molecular insights into the regulatory mechanism of correlation between the outer lipid domain and inner PIP2, both of which are critical components for cell signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixin Li
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology and Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Fang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, College of Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong 266580, China
| | - Tie Xia
- Institute for Immunology and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Institute for Immunology and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Disease and Snyder Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta 00000, Canada
| | - Tongtao Yue
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
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14
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Piller P, Semeraro EF, Rechberger GN, Keller S, Pabst G. Allosteric modulation of integral protein activity by differential stress in asymmetric membranes. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad126. [PMID: 37143864 PMCID: PMC10153742 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The activity of integral membrane proteins is tightly coupled to the properties of the surrounding lipid matrix. In particular, transbilayer asymmetry, a hallmark of all plasma membranes, might be exploited to control membrane-protein activity. Here, we hypothesized that the membrane-embedded enzyme outer membrane phospholipase A (OmpLA) is susceptible to the lateral pressure differences that build up between such asymmetric membrane leaflets. Upon reconstituting OmpLA into synthetic, chemically well-defined phospholipid bilayers exhibiting different lateral pressure profiles, we indeed observed a substantial decrease in the enzyme's hydrolytic activity with increasing membrane asymmetry. No such effects were observed in symmetric mixtures of the same lipids. To quantitatively rationalize how the differential stress in asymmetric lipid bilayers inhibits OmpLA, we developed a simple allosteric model within the lateral pressure framework. Thus, we find that membrane asymmetry can serve as the dominant factor in controlling membrane-protein activity, even in the absence of specific, chemical cues or other physical membrane determinants such as hydrophobic mismatch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Piller
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Enrico F Semeraro
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Gerald N Rechberger
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Sandro Keller
- Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria
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15
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Krompers M, Heerklotz H. A Guide to Your Desired Lipid-Asymmetric Vesicles. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:267. [PMID: 36984654 PMCID: PMC10054703 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13030267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Liposomes are prevalent model systems for studies on biological membranes. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to models also representing the lipid asymmetry of biological membranes. Here, we review in-vitro methods that have been established to prepare free-floating vesicles containing different compositions of the classic two-chain glycero- or sphingolipids in their outer and inner leaflet. In total, 72 reports are listed and assigned to four general strategies that are (A) enzymatic conversion of outer leaflet lipids, (B) re-sorting of lipids between leaflets, (C) assembly from different monolayers and (D) exchange of outer leaflet lipids. To guide the reader through this broad field of available techniques, we attempt to draw a road map that leads to the lipid-asymmetric vesicles that suit a given purpose. Of each method, we discuss advantages and limitations. In addition, various verification strategies of asymmetry as well as the role of cholesterol are briefly discussed. The ability to specifically induce lipid asymmetry in model membranes offers insights into the biological functions of asymmetry and may also benefit the technical applications of liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Krompers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Heiko Heerklotz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
- Signalling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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16
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Heller WT. Small-Angle Neutron Scattering for Studying Lipid Bilayer Membranes. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1591. [PMID: 36358941 PMCID: PMC9687511 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a powerful tool for studying biological membranes and model lipid bilayer membranes. The length scales probed by SANS, being from 1 nm to over 100 nm, are well-matched to the relevant length scales of the bilayer, particularly when it is in the form of a vesicle. However, it is the ability of SANS to differentiate between isotopes of hydrogen as well as the availability of deuterium labeled lipids that truly enable SANS to reveal details of membranes that are not accessible with the use of other techniques, such as small-angle X-ray scattering. In this work, an overview of the use of SANS for studying unilamellar lipid bilayer vesicles is presented. The technique is briefly presented, and the power of selective deuteration and contrast variation methods is discussed. Approaches to modeling SANS data from unilamellar lipid bilayer vesicles are presented. Finally, recent examples are discussed. While the emphasis is on studies of unilamellar vesicles, examples of the use of SANS to study intact cells are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Heller
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
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17
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Varma M, Deserno M. Distribution of cholesterol in asymmetric membranes driven by composition and differential stress. Biophys J 2022; 121:4001-4018. [PMID: 35927954 PMCID: PMC9674969 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Many lipid membranes of eukaryotic cells are asymmetric, which means the two leaflets differ in at least one physical property, such as lipid composition or lateral stress. Maintaining this asymmetry is helped by the fact that ordinary phospholipids rarely transition between leaflets, but cholesterol is an exception: its flip-flop times are in the microsecond range, so that its distribution between leaflets is determined by a chemical equilibrium. In particular, preferential partitioning can draw cholesterol into a more saturated leaflet, and phospholipid number asymmetry can force it out of a compressed leaflet. Combining highly coarse-grained membrane simulations with theoretical modeling, we investigate how these two driving forces play against each other until cholesterol's chemical potential is equilibrated. The theory includes two coupled elastic sheets and a Flory-Huggins mixing free energy with a χ parameter. We obtain a relationship between χ and the interaction strength between cholesterol and lipids in either of the two leaflets, and we find that it depends, albeit weakly, on lipid number asymmetry. The differential stress measurements under various asymmetry conditions agree with our theoretical predictions. Using the two kinds of asymmetries in combination, we find that it is possible to counteract the phospholipid number bias, and the resultant stress in the membrane, via the control of cholesterol mixing in the leaflets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malavika Varma
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Markus Deserno
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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18
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London E. Ordered Domain (Raft) Formation in Asymmetric Vesicles and Its Induction upon Loss of Lipid Asymmetry in Artificial and Natural Membranes. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:870. [PMID: 36135889 PMCID: PMC9503047 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12090870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lipid asymmetry, the difference in the lipid composition in the inner and outer lipid monolayers (leaflets) of a membrane, is an important feature of eukaryotic plasma membranes. Investigation of the biophysical consequences of lipid asymmetry has been aided by advances in the ability to prepare artificial asymmetric membranes, especially by use of cyclodextrin-catalyzed lipid exchange. This review summarizes recent studies with artificial asymmetric membranes which have identified conditions in which asymmetry can induce or suppress the ability of membranes to form ordered domains (rafts). A consequence of the latter effect is that, under some conditions, a loss of asymmetry can induce ordered domain formation. An analogous study in plasma membrane vesicles has demonstrated that asymmetry can also suppress domain formation in natural membranes. Thus, it is possible that a loss of asymmetry can induce domain formation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin London
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5215, USA
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19
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Sharma VK, Gupta J, Srinivasan H, Bhatt H, García Sakai V, Mitra S. Curcumin Accelerates the Lateral Motion of DPPC Membranes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:9649-9659. [PMID: 35878409 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin, the main ingredient in turmeric, has attracted attention due to its potential anti-inflammatory, anticancer, wound-healing, and antioxidant properties. Though curcumin efficacy is related to its interaction with biomembranes, there are few reports on the effects of curcumin on the lateral motion of lipids, a fundamental process in the cell membrane. Employing the quasielastic neutron scattering technique, we explore the effects of curcumin on the lateral diffusion of the dipalmotylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) membrane. Our investigation is also supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and calorimetry to understand the interaction between curcumin and the DPPC membrane. It is found that curcumin significantly modulates the packing arrangement and conformations of DPPC lipid, leading to enhanced membrane dynamics. In particular, we find that the presence of curcumin substantially accelerates the DPPC lateral motion in both ordered and fluid phases. The effects are more pronounced in the ordered phase where the lateral diffusion coefficient increases by 23% in comparison to 9% in the fluid phase. Our measurements provide critical insights into molecular mechanisms underlying increased lateral diffusion. In contrast, the localized internal motions of DPPC are barely altered, except for a marginal enhancement observed in the ordered phase. In essence, these findings indicate that curcumin is favorably located at the membrane interface rather than in a transbilayer configuration. Further, the unambiguous evidence that curcumin modulates the membrane dynamics at a molecular level supports a possible action mechanism in which curcumin can act as an allosteric regulator of membrane functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veerendra Kumar Sharma
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Jyoti Gupta
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Harish Srinivasan
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Himal Bhatt
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
- High Pressure & Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Victoria García Sakai
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, U.K
| | - Subhankur Mitra
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400094, India
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20
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Cino EA, Tieleman DP. Curvature-based sorting of eight lipid types in asymmetric buckled plasma membrane models. Biophys J 2022; 121:2060-2068. [PMID: 35524412 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Curvature is a fundamental property of biological membranes and has essential roles in cellular function. Bending of membranes can be induced by their lipid and protein compositions, as well as peripheral proteins, such as those that make up the cytoskeleton. An important aspect of membrane function is the grouping of lipid species into microdomains, or rafts, which serve as platforms for specific biochemical processes. The fluid mosaic model of membranes has evolved to recognize the importance of curvature and leaflet asymmetry, and there are efforts towards evaluating their functional roles. This work investigates the effect of curvature on the sorting of lipids in buckled asymmetric bilayers containing eight lipid types, approximating an average mammalian plasma membrane, through coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with the Martini force field. The simulations reveal that i) leaflet compositional asymmetry can induce curvature asymmetry, ii) lipids are sorted by curvature to different extents, and iii) curvature-based partitioning trends show moderate to strong correlations with lipid molecular volumes and head to tail bead ratios, respectively. The findings provide unique insights into the role of curvature in membrane organization, and the curvature-based sorting trends should be useful references for later investigations, and potentially interpreting the functional roles of specific lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elio A Cino
- Centre for Molecular Simulation and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - D Peter Tieleman
- Centre for Molecular Simulation and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
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21
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Frewein MPK, Piller P, Semeraro EF, Batchu KC, Heberle FA, Scott HL, Gerelli Y, Porcar L, Pabst G. Interdigitation-Induced Order and Disorder in Asymmetric Membranes. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:407-421. [PMID: 35471665 PMCID: PMC9581838 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00234-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We studied the transleaflet coupling of compositionally asymmetric liposomes in the fluid phase. The vesicles were produced by cyclodextrin-mediated lipid exchange and contained dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in the inner leaflet and different mixed-chain phosphatidylcholines (PCs) as well as milk sphingomyelin (MSM) in the outer leaflet. In order to jointly analyze the obtained small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering data, we adapted existing models of trans-bilayer structures to measure the overlap of the hydrocarbon chain termini by exploiting the contrast of the terminal methyl ends in X-ray scattering. In all studied systems, the bilayer-asymmetry has large effects on the lipid packing density. Fully saturated mixed-chain PCs interdigitate into the DPPC-containing leaflet and evoke disorder in one or both leaflets. The long saturated acyl chains of MSM penetrate even deeper into the opposing leaflet, which in turn has an ordering effect on the whole bilayer. These results are qualitatively understood in terms of a balance of entropic repulsion of fluctuating hydrocarbon chain termini and van der Waals forces, which is modulated by the interdigitation depth. Monounsaturated PCs in the outer leaflet also induce disorder in DPPC despite vestigial or even absent interdigitation. Instead, the transleaflet coupling appears to emerge here from a matching of the inner leaflet lipids to the larger lateral lipid area of the outer leaflet lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz P K Frewein
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.,Institut Laue-Langevin, 38042, Grenoble, France.,BioTechMed Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.,Field of Excellence BioHealth, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Paulina Piller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.,Field of Excellence BioHealth, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Enrico F Semeraro
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria.,Field of Excellence BioHealth, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Haden L Scott
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.,Shull Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Yuri Gerelli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Georg Pabst
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria. .,BioTechMed Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria. .,Field of Excellence BioHealth, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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22
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Xu H, Tae H, Cho NJ, Huang C, Hsia KJ. Thermodynamic Modeling of Solvent-Assisted Lipid Bilayer Formation Process. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13010134. [PMID: 35056299 PMCID: PMC8777629 DOI: 10.3390/mi13010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The solvent-assisted lipid bilayer (SALB) formation method provides a simple and efficient, microfluidic-based strategy to fabricate supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) with rich compositional diversity on a wide range of solid supports. While various studies have been performed to characterize SLBs formed using the SALB method, relatively limited work has been carried out to understand the underlying mechanisms of SALB formation under various experimental conditions. Through thermodynamic modeling, we studied the experimental parameters that affect the SALB formation process, including substrate surface properties, initial lipid concentration, and temperature. It was found that all the parameters are critically important to successfully form high-quality SLBs. The model also helps to identify the range of parameter space within which conformal, homogeneous SLBs can be fabricated, and provides mechanistic guidance to optimize experimental conditions for lipid membrane-related applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Xu
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
| | - Hyunhyuk Tae
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
| | - Nam-Joon Cho
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
- Correspondence: (N.-J.C.); (C.H.); (K.J.H.)
| | - Changjin Huang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
- Correspondence: (N.-J.C.); (C.H.); (K.J.H.)
| | - K. Jimmy Hsia
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Singapore
- Correspondence: (N.-J.C.); (C.H.); (K.J.H.)
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23
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Xu B, Chen SL, Zhang Y, Li B, Yuan Q, Gan W. Evaluating the cross-membrane dynamics of a charged molecule on lipid films with different surface curvature. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 610:376-384. [PMID: 34923275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Does the curvature of a phospholipid membrane influence the permeability of the lipid bilayers? This is a question of great importance yet hard to answer. In this work the permeability of a positively charged rod like probing molecule (D289 dye) on the bilayers of DOPG lipid vesicles was investigated using angle resolved second harmonic generation method. It was revealed that the permeability of D289 on the surface of small vesicles with ∼ 100 nm diameter was notably lower than that on giant vesicles with ∼ 1000 nm diameter. With the increasing of temperature or the introducing of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the solutions, the D289 permeability of the lipid bilayers was notably enhanced as expected, on both the small and the giant vesicles. Still, the D289 permeability of the lipid film with more curvature is lower than the relatively flat film in all these cases. This work demonstrated a general protocol for the investigating of surface permeability of lipid films with various curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baomei Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, and School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), University Town, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Shun-Li Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Preparation and Application of Ordered Structure Materials of Guangdong Province, Shantou University, Shantou 515063, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiru Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), University Town, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Bifei Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, and School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), University Town, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Qunhui Yuan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), University Town, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Gan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, and School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), University Town, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang, China.
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24
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Kaltenegger M, Kremser J, Frewein MPK, Ziherl P, Bonthuis DJ, Pabst G. Intrinsic lipid curvatures of mammalian plasma membrane outer leaflet lipids and ceramides. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183709. [PMID: 34332987 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We developed a global X-ray data analysis method to determine the intrinsic curvatures of lipids hosted in inverted hexagonal phases. In particular, we combined compositional modelling with molecular shape-based arguments to account for non-linear mixing effects of guest-in-host lipids on intrinsic curvature. The technique was verified by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and applied to sphingomyelin and a series of phosphatidylcholines and ceramides with differing composition of the hydrocarbon chains. We report positive lipid curvatures for sphingomyelin and all phosphatidylcholines with disaturated and monounsaturated hydrocarbons. Phosphatidylcholines with diunsaturated hydrocarbons in turn yielded intrinsic lipid curvatures with negative values. All ceramides, with chain lengths varying between C2:0 and C24:0, displayed significant negative lipid curvature values. Moreover, we report non-additive mixing for C2:0 ceramide and sphingomyelin. This suggests for sphingolipids that in addition to lipid headgroup and hydrocarbon chain volumes also lipid-specific interactions are important contributors to membrane curvature stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kaltenegger
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Kremser
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Moritz P K Frewein
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Institut Laue-Langevin, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Primož Ziherl
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Douwe J Bonthuis
- Graz University of Technology, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Physics, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Georg Pabst
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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25
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Scott HL, Kennison KB, Enoki TA, Doktorova M, Kinnun JJ, Heberle FA, Katsaras J. Model Membrane Systems Used to Study Plasma Membrane Lipid Asymmetry. Symmetry (Basel) 2021; 13. [PMID: 35498375 PMCID: PMC9053528 DOI: 10.3390/sym13081356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that the lipid distribution in the bilayer leaflets of mammalian plasma membranes (PMs) is not symmetric. Despite this, model membrane studies have largely relied on chemically symmetric model membranes for the study of lipid–lipid and lipid–protein interactions. This is primarily due to the difficulty in preparing stable, asymmetric model membranes that are amenable to biophysical studies. However, in the last 20 years, efforts have been made in producing more biologically faithful model membranes. Here, we review several recently developed experimental and computational techniques for the robust generation of asymmetric model membranes and highlight a new and particularly promising technique to study membrane asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haden L. Scott
- Large Scale Structures Group, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Shull-Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Correspondence: (H.L.S.); (K.B.K.); (T.A.E.); (M.D.); (J.J.K.); (F.A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Kristen B. Kennison
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Correspondence: (H.L.S.); (K.B.K.); (T.A.E.); (M.D.); (J.J.K.); (F.A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Thais A. Enoki
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Correspondence: (H.L.S.); (K.B.K.); (T.A.E.); (M.D.); (J.J.K.); (F.A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Milka Doktorova
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Correspondence: (H.L.S.); (K.B.K.); (T.A.E.); (M.D.); (J.J.K.); (F.A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jacob J. Kinnun
- Large Scale Structures Group, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Shull-Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Correspondence: (H.L.S.); (K.B.K.); (T.A.E.); (M.D.); (J.J.K.); (F.A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Frederick A. Heberle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Correspondence: (H.L.S.); (K.B.K.); (T.A.E.); (M.D.); (J.J.K.); (F.A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - John Katsaras
- Shull-Wollan Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Sample Environment Group, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Correspondence: (H.L.S.); (K.B.K.); (T.A.E.); (M.D.); (J.J.K.); (F.A.H.); (J.K.)
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26
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Ausili A, Corbalán-García S, Gómez-Fernández JC. The binding of different model membranes with PKCε C2 domain is not dependent on membrane curvature but affects the sequence of events during unfolding. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 705:108910. [PMID: 33991498 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The C2 domain of novel protein kinases C (nPKC) binds to membranes in a Ca2+-independent way contributing to the activation of these enzymes. We have studied the C2 domain of one of these nPKCs, namely PKCε, and confirmed that it establishes a strong interaction with POPA, which is clearly visible through changes in chemical shifts detected through 31P-MAS-NMR and the protection that it exerts on the domain against thermal denaturation seen through DSC and FT-IR. In this study, using two-dimensional correlation analysis (2D-COS) applied to infrared spectra, we determined the sequence of events that occur during the thermal unfolding of the domain and highlighted some differences when phosphatidic acid or cardiolipin are present. Finally, by means of FRET and DLS experiments, we wanted to determine the effect of membrane curvature on the domain/membrane interaction by using lysophosphatidylcholine to introduce positive curvature as a control and we observed that the effect of these phospholipids on the protein binding is not exerted through the change of membrane curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Ausili
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (A), Facultad de Veterinaria, International Campus of Excellence Mare Nostrum, Universidad de Murcia, Apartado. 4021, E-30100, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Senena Corbalán-García
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (A), Facultad de Veterinaria, International Campus of Excellence Mare Nostrum, Universidad de Murcia, Apartado. 4021, E-30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan C Gómez-Fernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (A), Facultad de Veterinaria, International Campus of Excellence Mare Nostrum, Universidad de Murcia, Apartado. 4021, E-30100, Murcia, Spain
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27
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Investigation of the domain line tension in asymmetric vesicles prepared via hemifusion. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183586. [PMID: 33647248 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The plasma membrane (PM) is asymmetric in lipid composition. The distinct and characteristic lipid compositions of the exoplasmic and cytoplasmic leaflets lead to different lipid-lipid interactions and physical-chemical properties in each leaflet. The exoplasmic leaflet possesses an intrinsic ability to form coexisting ordered and disordered fluid domains, whereas the cytoplasmic leaflet seems to form a single fluid phase. To better understand the interleaflet interactions that influence domains, we compared asymmetric model membranes that capture salient properties of the PM with simpler symmetric membranes. Using asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles (aGUVs) prepared by hemifusion with a supported lipid bilayer, we investigate the domain line tension that characterizes the behavior of coexisting ordered + disordered domains. The line tension can be related to the contact perimeter of the different phases. Compared to macroscopic phase separation, the appearance of modulated phases was found to be a robust indicator of a decrease in domain line tension. Symmetric GUVs of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/cholesterol (chol) were formed into aGUVs by replacing the GUV outer leaflet with DOPC/chol = 0.8/0.2 in order to create a cytoplasmic leaflet model. These aGUVs revealed lower line tension for the ordered + disordered domains of the exoplasmic model leaflet.
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28
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Semeraro EF, Marx L, Frewein MPK, Pabst G. Increasing complexity in small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering experiments: from biological membrane mimics to live cells. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:222-232. [PMID: 32104874 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02352f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering are well-established, non-invasive experimental techniques to interrogate global structural properties of biological membrane mimicking systems under physiologically relevant conditions. Recent developments, both in bottom-up sample preparation techniques for increasingly complex model systems, and in data analysis techniques have opened the path toward addressing long standing issues of biological membrane remodelling processes. These efforts also include emerging quantitative scattering studies on live cells, thus enabling a bridging of molecular to cellular length scales. Here, we review recent progress in devising compositional models for joint small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering studies on diverse membrane mimics - with a specific focus on membrane structural coupling to amphiphatic peptides and integral proteins - and live Escherichia coli. In particular, we outline the present state-of-the-art in small-angle scattering methods applied to complex membrane systems, highlighting how increasing system complexity must be followed by an advance in compositional modelling and data-analysis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico F Semeraro
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria. and BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Lisa Marx
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria. and BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Moritz P K Frewein
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria. and BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria and Institut Laue-Langevin, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Georg Pabst
- University of Graz, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, NAWI Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria. and BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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29
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Hossein A, Deserno M. Stiffening transition in asymmetric lipid bilayers: The role of highly ordered domains and the effect of temperature and size. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:014704. [PMID: 33412863 DOI: 10.1063/5.0028255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular membranes consist of a large variety of lipids and proteins, with a composition that generally differs between the two leaflets of the same bilayer. One consequence of this asymmetry is thought to be the emergence of differential stress, i.e., a mismatch in the lateral tension of the two leaflets. This can affect a membrane's mechanical properties; for instance, it can increase the bending rigidity once the differential stress exceeds a critical threshold. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations based on the MARTINI model, we show that this effect arises due to the formation of more highly ordered domains in the compressed leaflet. The threshold asymmetry increases with temperature, indicating that the transition to a stiffened regime might be restricted to a limited temperature range above the gel transition. We also show that stiffening occurs more readily for larger membranes with smaller typical curvatures, suggesting that the stiffening transition is easier to observe experimentally than in the small-scale systems accessible to simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirali Hossein
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Markus Deserno
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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30
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Scattarella F, Altamura E, Albanese P, Siliqi D, Ladisa M, Mavelli F, Giannini C, Altamura D. Table-top combined scanning X-ray small angle scattering and transmission microscopies of lipid vesicles dispersed in free-standing gel. RSC Adv 2020; 11:484-492. [PMID: 35423036 PMCID: PMC8690998 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08581b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A mm thick free-standing gel containing lipid vesicles made of 2-oleoyl-1-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) was studied by scanning Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and X-ray Transmission (XT) microscopies. Raster scanning relatively large volumes, besides reducing the risk of radiation damage, allows signal integration, improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), as well as high statistical significance of the dataset. The persistence of lipid vesicles in gel was demonstrated, while mapping their spatial distribution and concentration gradients. Information about lipid aggregation and packing, as well as about gel density gradients, was obtained. A posteriori confirmation of lipid presence in well-defined sample areas was obtained by studying the dried sample, featuring clear Bragg peaks from stacked bilayers. The comparison between wet and dry samples allowed it to be proved that lipids do not significantly migrate within the gel even upon drying, whereas bilayer curvature is lost by removing water, resulting in lipids packed in ordered lamellae. Suitable algorithms were successfully employed for enhancing transmission microscopy sensitivity to low absorbing objects, and allowing full SAXS intensity normalization as a general approach. In particular, data reduction includes normalization of the SAXS intensity against the local sample thickness derived from absorption contrast maps. The proposed study was demonstrated by a room-sized instrumentation, although equipped with a high brilliance X-ray micro-source, and is expected to be applicable to a wide variety of organic, inorganic, and multicomponent systems, including biomaterials. The employed routines for data reduction and microscopy, including Gaussian filter for contrast enhancement of low absorbing objects and a region growing segmentation algorithm to exclude no-sample regions, have been implemented and made freely available through the updated in-house developed software SUNBIM.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emiliano Altamura
- Chemistry Department University of Bari Aldo Moro via Orabona 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Paola Albanese
- Chemistry Department University of Bari Aldo Moro via Orabona 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Dritan Siliqi
- Istituto di Cristallografia - CNR Via Amendola 122/O 70126 Bari Italy
| | - Massimo Ladisa
- Istituto di Cristallografia - CNR Via Amendola 122/O 70126 Bari Italy
| | - Fabio Mavelli
- Chemistry Department University of Bari Aldo Moro via Orabona 4 70125 Bari Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Istituto di Cristallografia - CNR Via Amendola 122/O 70126 Bari Italy
| | - Davide Altamura
- Istituto di Cristallografia - CNR Via Amendola 122/O 70126 Bari Italy
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31
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Membrane Curvature Revisited-the Archetype of Rhodopsin Studied by Time-Resolved Electronic Spectroscopy. Biophys J 2020; 120:440-452. [PMID: 33217383 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise the largest and most pharmacologically targeted membrane protein family. Here, we used the visual receptor rhodopsin as an archetype for understanding membrane lipid influences on conformational changes involved in GPCR activation. Visual rhodopsin was recombined with lipids varying in their degree of acyl chain unsaturation and polar headgroup size using 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero- and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerophospholipids with phosphocholine (PC) or phosphoethanolamine (PE) substituents. The receptor activation profile after light excitation was measured using time-resolved ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. We discovered that more saturated POPC lipids back shifted the equilibrium to the inactive state, whereas the small-headgroup, highly unsaturated DOPE lipids favored the active state. Increasing unsaturation and decreasing headgroup size have similar effects that combine to yield control of rhodopsin activation, and necessitate factors beyond proteolipid solvation energy and bilayer surface electrostatics. Hence, we consider a balance of curvature free energy with hydrophobic matching and demonstrate how our data support a flexible surface model (FSM) for the coupling between proteins and lipids. The FSM is based on the Helfrich formulation of membrane bending energy as we previously first applied to lipid-protein interactions. Membrane elasticity and curvature strain are induced by lateral pressure imbalances between the constituent lipids and drive key physiological processes at the membrane level. Spontaneous negative monolayer curvature toward water is mediated by unsaturated, small-headgroup lipids and couples directly to GPCR activation upon light absorption by rhodopsin. For the first time to our knowledge, we demonstrate this modulation in both the equilibrium and pre-equilibrium evolving states using a time-resolved approach.
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32
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Malanovic N, Ön A, Pabst G, Zellner A, Lohner K. Octenidine: Novel insights into the detailed killing mechanism of Gram-negative bacteria at a cellular and molecular level. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020; 56:106146. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.106146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Dorrell MW, Beaven AH, Sodt AJ. A combined molecular/continuum-modeling approach to predict the small-angle neutron scattering of curved membranes. Chem Phys Lipids 2020; 233:104983. [PMID: 33035544 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2020.104983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper develops a framework to compute the small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) from highly curved, dynamically fluctuating, and potentially inhomogeneous membranes. This method is needed to compute the scattering from nanometer-scale membrane domains that couple to curvature, as predicted by molecular modeling. The detailed neutron scattering length density of a small planar bilayer patch is readily available via molecular dynamics simulation. A mathematical, mechanical transformation of the planar scattering length density is developed to predict the scattering from curved bilayers. By simulating a fluctuating, curved, surface-continuum model, long time- and length-scales can be reached while, with the aid of the planar-to-curved transformation, the molecular features of the scattering length density can be retained. A test case for the method is developed by constructing a coarse-grained lipid vesicle following a protocol designed to relieve both the osmotic stress inside the vesicle and the lipid-number stress between the leaflets. A question was whether the hybrid model would be able to replicate the scattering from the highly deformed inner and outer leaflets of the small vesicle. Matching the scattering of the full (molecular vesicle) and hybrid (continuum vesicle) models indicated that the inner and outer leaflets of the full vesicle were expanded laterally, consistent with previous simulations of the Martini forcefield that showed thinning in small vesicles. The vesicle structure is inconsistent with a zero-tension leaflet deformed by a single set of elastic parameters, and the results show that this is evident in the scattering. The method can be applied to translate observations of any molecular model's neutron scattering length densities from small patches to large length and timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell W Dorrell
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Andrew H Beaven
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Alexander J Sodt
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, USA.
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34
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Membrane stiffness and myelin basic protein binding strength as molecular origin of multiple sclerosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16691. [PMID: 33028889 PMCID: PMC7542173 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73671-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelin basic protein (MBP) and its interaction with lipids of the myelin sheath plays an important part in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous studies observed that changes in the myelin lipid composition lead to instabilities and enhanced local curvature of MBP-lipid multilayer structures. We investigated the molecular origin of the instability and found that the diseased lipid membrane has a 25% lower bending rigidity, thus destabilizing smooth \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$>1\,$$\end{document}>1µm curvature radius structures such as in giant unilamellar vesicles. MBP-mediated assembling of lipid bilayers proceeds in two steps, with a slow second step occurring over many days where native lipid membranes assemble into well-defined multilayer structures, whereas diseased lipid membranes form folded assemblies with high local curvature. For both native and diseased lipid mixtures we find that MBP forms dense liquid phases on top of the lipid membranes mediating attractive membrane interactions. Furthermore, we observe MBP to insert into its bilayer leaflet side in case of the diseased lipid mixture, whereas there is no insertion for the native mixture. Insertion increases the local membrane curvature, and could be caused by a decrease of the sphingomyelin content of the diseased lipid mixture. These findings can help to open a pathway to remyelination strategies.
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35
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Vázquez RF, Ovalle-García E, Antillón A, Ortega-Blake I, Bakás LS, Muñoz-Garay C, Maté SM. Asymmetric bilayers mimicking membrane rafts prepared by lipid exchange: Nanoscale characterization using AFM-Force spectroscopy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1863:183467. [PMID: 32871116 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids-enriched rafts domains are proposed to occur in plasma membranes and to mediate important cellular functions. Notwithstanding, the asymmetric transbilayer distribution of phospholipids that exists in the membrane confers the two leaflets different potentials to form lateral domains as next to no sphingolipids are present in the inner leaflet. How the physical properties of one leaflet can influence the properties of the other and its importance on signal transduction across the membrane are questions still unresolved. In this work, we combined AFM imaging and Force spectroscopy measurements to assess domain formation and to study the nanomechanical properties of asymmetric supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) mimicking membrane rafts. Asymmetric SLBs were formed by incorporating N-palmitoyl-sphingomyelin (16:0SM) into the outer leaflet of preformed 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/Cholesterol SLBs through methyl-β-cyclodextrin-mediated lipid exchange. Lipid domains were detected after incorporation of 16:0SM though their phase state varied from gel to liquid ordered (Lo) phase if the procedure was performed at 24 or 37 °C, respectively. When comparing symmetric and asymmetric Lo domains, differences in size and morphology were observed, with asymmetric domains being smaller and more interconnected. Both types of Lo domains showed similar mechanical stability in terms of rupture forces and Young's moduli. Notably, force curves in asymmetric domains presented two rupture events that could be attributed to the sequential rupture of a liquid disordered (Ld) and a Lo phase. Interleaflet coupling in asymmetric Lo domains could also be inferred from those measurements. The experimental approach outlined here would significantly enhance the applicability of membrane models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina F Vázquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), CCT- La Plata, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Erasmo Ovalle-García
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210 Cuernavaca, México
| | - Armando Antillón
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210 Cuernavaca, México
| | - Iván Ortega-Blake
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210 Cuernavaca, México
| | - Laura S Bakás
- Centro de Investigación en Proteínas Vegetales (CIProVe), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carlos Muñoz-Garay
- Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, 62210 Cuernavaca, México
| | - Sabina M Maté
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), CCT- La Plata, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
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36
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Liu Y, Kelley EG, Batchu KC, Porcar L, Perez-Salas U. Creating Asymmetric Phospholipid Vesicles via Exchange With Lipid-Coated Silica Nanoparticles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:8865-8873. [PMID: 32623897 PMCID: PMC7899156 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recently, effort has been placed into fabricating model free-floating asymmetric lipid membranes, such as asymmetric vesicles. Here, we report on the use of lipid-coated silica nanoparticles to exchange lipids with initially symmetric vesicles to generate composition-controlled asymmetric vesicles. Our method relies on the simple and natural exchange of lipids between membranes through an aqueous medium. Using a selected temperature, time, and ratio of lipid-coated silica nanoparticles to vesicles, we produced a desired highly asymmetric leaflet composition. At this point, the silica nanoparticles were removed by centrifugation, leaving the asymmetric vesicles in solution. In the present work, the asymmetric vesicles were composed of isotopically distinct dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine lipids. Lipid asymmetry was detected by both small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The rate at which the membrane homogenizes at 75 °C was also assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmingyue Liu
- Physics Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Elizabeth G Kelley
- NIST Center For Neutron Research, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20889, United States
| | - Krishna C Batchu
- Large Scale Structure Group, Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble F-38042, France
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Large Scale Structure Group, Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble F-38042, France
| | - Ursula Perez-Salas
- Physics Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
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37
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Lipid asymmetry of a model mitochondrial outer membrane affects Bax-dependent permeabilization. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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38
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Induction of Ordered Lipid Raft Domain Formation by Loss of Lipid Asymmetry. Biophys J 2020; 119:483-492. [PMID: 32710822 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
How lipid asymmetry impacts ordered lipid domain (raft) formation may yield important clues to how ordered domain formation is regulated in vivo. Under some conditions, a sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol-rich ordered domain in one leaflet induces ordered domain formation in the corresponding region of an opposite leaflet composed of unsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol. In other conditions, the formation of ordered domains in a SM and cholesterol-rich leaflet can be suppressed by an opposite leaflet containing unsaturated PC and cholesterol. To explore how PC unsaturation influences the balance between these behaviors, domain formation was studied in asymmetric and symmetric lipid vesicles composed of egg SM, cholesterol, and either unsaturated dioleoyl PC (DOPC) or 1-palmitoyl 2-oleoyl PC (POPC). The temperature dependence of ordered domain formation was measured using Förster resonance energy transfer, which detects nanodomains as well as large domains. In cholesterol-containing asymmetric SM+PC outside/PC inside vesicles, the PC-containing inner leaflet tended to destabilize ordered domain formation in the SM+PC-containing outer leaflet relative to ordered domain stability in cholesterol-containing symmetric SM/PC vesicles. Residual ordered domain formation was detected in cholesterol-containing asymmetric SM+DOPC outside/DOPC inside vesicles, but ordered domain formation was completely or almost completely suppressed by asymmetry in cholesterol-containing SM+POPC outside/POPC inside vesicles over the entire temperature range measured. Suppression of ordered domain formation in the latter vesicles was confirmed by fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Because mixtures of SM, POPC, and cholesterol form domains in symmetric vesicles, and this lipid composition mimics plasma membranes to a significant degree, it is possible that under some conditions in vivo the loss of lipid asymmetry could trigger ordered domain formation.
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Seo S, Murata M, Shinoda W. Pivotal Role of Interdigitation in Interleaflet Interactions: Implications from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:5171-5176. [PMID: 32515980 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c01317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The asymmetric lipid composition in plasma membranes within the inner leaflet is not typically suitable for domain formation. Thus elucidation of the likelihood of the formation or stability of a raft-like domain in the inner leaflet is necessary. Herein we investigated the phase behavior of asymmetric membranes using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The lipid leaflet comprising dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and cholesterol (Chol) does not typically show well-developed domains in symmetric bilayer membranes; however, it does separate into liquid ordered (Lo) and liquid disordered (Ld) phases when the opposing leaflet containing sphingomyelin (SM), DOPC, and Chol demonstrates domain formation. We determine that interdigitated acyl chains modulated the partitioning of Chol in the opposing leaflet, resulting in phase separation. Similarly, the acyl chain length of SM within the opposing leaflet affected the phase behavior of the leaflet. Our results reveal the crucial role of interdigitation in determining the phase status in asymmetric membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangjae Seo
- Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Korean Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Michio Murata
- Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Wataru Shinoda
- Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
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40
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Bogdanov M, Pyrshev K, Yesylevskyy S, Ryabichko S, Boiko V, Ivanchenko P, Kiyamova R, Guan Z, Ramseyer C, Dowhan W. Phospholipid distribution in the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is highly asymmetric, dynamic, and cell shape-dependent. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz6333. [PMID: 32537497 PMCID: PMC7269648 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz6333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of phospholipids across the inner membrane (IM) of Gram-negative bacteria is unknown. We demonstrate that the IMs of Escherichia coli and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are asymmetric, with a 75%/25% (cytoplasmic/periplasmic leaflet) distribution of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in rod-shaped cells and an opposite distribution in E. coli filamentous cells. In initially filamentous PE-lacking E. coli cells, nascent PE appears first in the periplasmic leaflet. As the total PE content increases from nearly zero to 75%, cells progressively adopt a rod shape and PE appears in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the IM. The redistribution of PE influences the distribution of the other lipids between the leaflets. This correlates with the tendency of PE and cardiolipin to regulate antagonistically lipid order of the bilayer. The results suggest that PE asymmetry is metabolically controlled to balance temporally the net rates of synthesis and translocation, satisfy envelope growth capacity, and adjust bilayer chemical and physical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Bogdanov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Pharmacology, Kazan Federal University, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan 420008, Russian Federation
- Corresponding author.
| | - Kyrylo Pyrshev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Laboratory of the Nanobiotechnology, Department of Neurochemistry, Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the NAS of Ukraine, 9 Leontovycha Street, Kyiv 01601, Ukraine
- Department of Physics of Biological Systems, Institute of Physics, NAS of Ukraine, 46 Nauky Avenue., Kyiv 03680, Ukraine
| | - Semen Yesylevskyy
- Department of Physics of Biological Systems, Institute of Physics, NAS of Ukraine, 46 Nauky Avenue., Kyiv 03680, Ukraine
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR CNRS 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Sergey Ryabichko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Vitalii Boiko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Spectroscopy of Excited States, Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Okólna 2, Wrocław 50-422, Poland
| | - Pavlo Ivanchenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Interdepartmental Centre Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces (NIS), University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Ramziya Kiyamova
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Pharmacology, Kazan Federal University, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan 420008, Russian Federation
| | - Ziqiang Guan
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Christophe Ramseyer
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement UMR CNRS 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - William Dowhan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
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41
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Sarmento MJ, Hof M, Šachl R. Interleaflet Coupling of Lipid Nanodomains - Insights From in vitro Systems. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:284. [PMID: 32411705 PMCID: PMC7198703 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The plasma membrane is a complex system, consisting of two layers of lipids and proteins compartmentalized into small structures called nanodomains. Despite the asymmetric composition of both leaflets, coupling between the layers is surprisingly strong. This can be evidenced, for example, by recent experimental studies performed on phospholipid giant unilamellar vesicles showing that nanodomains formed in the outer layer are perfectly registered with those in the inner leaflet. Similarly, microscopic phase separation in one leaflet can induce phase separation in the opposing leaflet that would otherwise be homogeneous. In this review, we summarize the current theoretical and experimental knowledge that led to the current view that domains are – irrespective of their size – commonly registered across the bilayer. Mechanisms inducing registration of nanodomains suggested by theory and calculations are discussed. Furthermore, domain coupling is evidenced by experimental studies based on the sparse number of methods that can resolve registered from independent nanodomains. Finally, implications that those findings using model membrane studies might have for cellular membranes are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Sarmento
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Hof
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radek Šachl
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejškova, Prague, Czechia
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42
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Wlodek M, Slastanova A, Fox LJ, Taylor N, Bikondoa O, Szuwarzynski M, Kolasinska-Sojka M, Warszynski P, Briscoe WH. Structural evolution of supported lipid bilayers intercalated with quantum dots. J Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 562:409-417. [PMID: 31806357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2019.11.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) embedded with hydrophobic quantum dots (QDs) undergo temporal structural rearrangement. EXPERIMENTS Synchrotron X-ray reflectivity (XRR) was applied to monitor the temporal structural changes over a period of 24 h of mixed SLBs of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) / 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-ethanolamine (POPE) intercalated with 4.9 nm hydrophobic cadmium sulphide quantum dots (CdS QDs). The QD-embedded SLBs (QD-SLBs) were formed via rupture of the mixed liposomes on a positively charged polyethylene imine (PEI) monolayer. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging provided complementary characterization of the bilayer morphology. FINDINGS Our results show time-dependent perturbations in the SLB structure due to the interaction upon QD incorporation. Compared to the SLB without QDs, at 3 h incubation time, there was a measurable decrease in the bilayer thickness and a concurrent increase in the scattering length density (SLD) of the QD-SLB. The QD-SLB then became progressively thicker with increasing incubation time, which - along with the fitted SLD profile - was attributed to the structural rearrangement due to the QDs being expelled from the inner leaflet to the outer leaflet of the bilayer. Our results give unprecedented mechanistic insights into the structural evolution of QD-SLBs on a polymer cushion, important to their potential biomedical and biosensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Wlodek
- Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Niezapominajek 8, PL-30239 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Anna Slastanova
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Laura J Fox
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Taylor
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Oier Bikondoa
- XMaS, The UK-CRG Beamline, The European Synchrotron (ESRF), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, France; Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Michal Szuwarzynski
- AGH University of Science and Technology, Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, PL-30059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Kolasinska-Sojka
- Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Niezapominajek 8, PL-30239 Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Warszynski
- Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Niezapominajek 8, PL-30239 Krakow, Poland
| | - Wuge H Briscoe
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom.
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Abstract
Vesicle structures primarily embody spherical capsules composed of a single or multiple bilayers, entrapping a pool of aqueous solution in their interior. The bilayers can be synthesised by phospholipids or other amphiphiles (surfactants, block copolymers, etc.). Vesicles with broad-spectrum applications in numerous scientific disciplines, including biochemistry, biophysics, biology, and various pharmaceutical industries, have attracted widespread attention. Consequently, a multitude of protocols have been devised and proposed for their fabrication. In this review, with a motivation to derive the basic conditions for the formation of vesicles, the associated thermodynamic and kinetic aspects are comprehensively appraised. Contextually, an all-purpose overview of the underlying thermodynamics of bilayer/membrane generation and deformation, including the chemical potential of aggregates, geometric packing and the concept of elastic properties, is presented. Additionally, the current review highlights the probable, inherent mechanisms of vesicle formation under distinct modes of manufacturing. We lay focus on vesicle formation from pre-existing bilayers, as well as from bilayers, which form when lipids from an organic solvent are transferred into an aqueous medium. Furthermore, we outline the kinetic effects on vesicle formation from the lamellar phase, with and without the presence of shearing force. Wherever required, the experimental and/or theoretical outcomes, the driving forces for vesicle size selection, and various scaling laws are also reviewed, all of which facilitate an overall improved understanding of the vesicle formation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Has
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Sharadwata Pan
- School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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44
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Rickeard BW, Nguyen MHL, DiPasquale M, Yip CG, Baker H, Heberle FA, Zuo X, Kelley EG, Nagao M, Marquardt D. Transverse lipid organization dictates bending fluctuations in model plasma membranes. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:1438-1447. [PMID: 31746906 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr07977g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Membrane undulations play a vital role in many biological processes, including the regulation of membrane protein activity. The asymmetric lipid composition of most biological membranes complicates theoretical description of these bending fluctuations, yet experimental data that would inform any such a theory is scarce. Here, we used neutron spin-echo (NSE) spectroscopy to measure the bending fluctuations of large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) having an asymmetric transbilayer distribution of high- and low-melting lipids. The asymmetric vesicles were prepared using cyclodextrin-mediated lipid exchange, and were composed of an outer leaflet enriched in egg sphingomyelin (ESM) and an inner leaflet enriched in 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphoethanolamine (POPE), which have main transition temperatures of 37 °C and 25 °C, respectively. The overall membrane bending rigidity was measured at three temperatures: 15 °C, where both lipids are in a gel state; 45 °C, where both lipids are in a fluid state; and 30 °C, where there is gel-fluid co-existence. Remarkably, the dynamics for the fluid asymmetric LUVs (aLUVs) at 30 °C and 45 °C do not follow trends predicted by their symmetric counterparts. At 30 °C, compositional asymmetry suppressed the bending fluctuations, with the asymmetric bilayer exhibiting a larger bending modulus than that of symmetric bilayers corresponding to either the outer or inner leaflet. We conclude that the compositional asymmetry and leaflet coupling influence the internal dissipation within the bilayer and result in membrane properties that cannot be directly predicted from corresponding symmetric bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett W Rickeard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
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45
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Kabelka I, Pachler M, Prévost S, Letofsky-Papst I, Lohner K, Pabst G, Vácha R. Magainin 2 and PGLa in Bacterial Membrane Mimics II: Membrane Fusion and Sponge Phase Formation. Biophys J 2019; 118:612-623. [PMID: 31952806 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied the synergistic mechanism of equimolar mixtures of magainin 2 (MG2a) and PGLa in phosphatidylethanolamine/phosphatidylglycerol mimics of Gram-negative cytoplasmic membranes. In a preceding article of this series, we reported on the early onset of parallel heterodimer formation of the two antimicrobial peptides already at low concentrations and the resulting defect formation in the membranes. Here, we focus on the structures of the peptide-lipid aggregates occurring in the synergistic regime at elevated peptide concentrations. Using a combination of calorimetric, scattering, electron microscopic, and in silico techniques, we demonstrate that the two peptides, even if applied individually, transform originally large unilamellar vesicles into multilamellar vesicles with a collapsed interbilayer spacing resulting from peptide-induced adhesion. Interestingly, the adhesion does not lead to a peptide-induced lipid separation of charged and charge-neutral species. In addition to this behavior, equimolar mixtures of MG2a and PGLa formed surface-aligned fibril-like structures, which induced adhesion zones between the membranes and the formation of transient fusion stalks in molecular dynamics simulations and a coexisting sponge phase observed by small-angle x-ray scattering. The previously reported increased leakage of lipid vesicles of identical composition in the presence of MG2a/PGLa mixtures is therefore related to a peptide-induced cross-linking of bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Kabelka
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic; National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Pachler
- Biophysics Division, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Ilse Letofsky-Papst
- Institute for Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis and Center for Electron Microscopy, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Karl Lohner
- Biophysics Division, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Georg Pabst
- Biophysics Division, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Vácha
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic; National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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46
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Zhang S, Lin X. Lipid Acyl Chain cis Double Bond Position Modulates Membrane Domain Registration/Anti-Registration. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:15884-15890. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b06977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Siya Zhang
- Institute of Nanotechnology for Single Cell Analysis (INSCA), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xubo Lin
- Institute of Nanotechnology for Single Cell Analysis (INSCA), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
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47
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Nguyen MHL, DiPasquale M, Rickeard BW, Doktorova M, Heberle FA, Scott HL, Barrera FN, Taylor G, Collier CP, Stanley CB, Katsaras J, Marquardt D. Peptide-Induced Lipid Flip-Flop in Asymmetric Liposomes Measured by Small Angle Neutron Scattering. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:11735-11744. [PMID: 31408345 PMCID: PMC7393738 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of lipid transbilayer asymmetry in natural plasma membranes, most biomimetic model membranes studied are symmetric. Recent advances have helped to overcome the difficulties in preparing asymmetric liposomes in vitro, allowing for the examination of a larger set of relevant biophysical questions. Here, we investigate the stability of asymmetric bilayers by measuring lipid flip-flop with time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Asymmetric large unilamellar vesicles with inner bilayer leaflets containing predominantly 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and outer leaflets composed mainly of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) displayed slow spontaneous flip-flop at 37 ◦C (half-time, t1/2 = 140 h). However, inclusion of peptides, namely, gramicidin, alamethicin, melittin, or pHLIP (i.e., pH-low insertion peptide), accelerated lipid flip-flop. For three of these peptides (i.e., pHLIP, alamethicin, and melittin), each of which was added externally to preformed asymmetric vesicles, we observed a completely scrambled bilayer in less than 2 h. Gramicidin, on the other hand, was preincorporated during the formation of the asymmetric liposomes and showed a time resolvable 8-fold increase in the rate of lipid asymmetry loss. These results point to a membrane surface-related (e.g., adsorption/insertion) event as the primary driver of lipid scrambling in the asymmetric model membranes of this study. We discuss the implications of membrane peptide binding, conformation, and insertion on lipid asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H. L. Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Windsor, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
| | - Mitchell DiPasquale
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Windsor, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
| | - Brett W. Rickeard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Windsor, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
| | - Milka Doktorova
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology,
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77225, United
States
| | - Frederick A. Heberle
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology,
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77225, United
States
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University
of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Haden L. Scott
- Center for Environmental Biotechnology, University
of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and
Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United
States
| | - Francisco N. Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and
Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United
States
| | - Graham Taylor
- The Bredesen Center, University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Charles P. Collier
- The Bredesen Center, University of Tennessee,
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Christopher B. Stanley
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - John Katsaras
- Large Scale Structures Group, Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- Shull Wollan Center, a Joint Institute for Neutron
Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United
States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Drew Marquardt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Windsor, Windsor, N9B 3P4 ON Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Windsor, Windsor, N9B
3P4 ON Canada
- Corresponding Author:
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48
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Enoki TA, Feigenson GW. Asymmetric Bilayers by Hemifusion: Method and Leaflet Behaviors. Biophys J 2019; 117:1037-1050. [PMID: 31493862 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a new method to prepare asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles (aGUVs) via hemifusion. Hemifusion of giant unilamellar vesicles and a supported lipid bilayer, triggered by calcium, promotes the lipid exchange of the fused outer leaflets mediated by lipid diffusion. We used different fluorescent dyes to monitor the inner and the outer leaflets of the unsupported aGUVs. We confirmed that almost all newly exchanged lipids in the aGUVs are found in the outer leaflet of these asymmetric vesicles. In addition, we test the stability of the aGUVs formed by hemifusion in preserving their contents during the procedure. For aGUVs prepared from the hemifusion of giant unilamellar vesicles composed of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/cholesterol = 0.39/0.39/0.22 and a supported lipid bilayer of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/cholesterol = 0.8/0.2, we observed the exchanged lipids to alter the bilayer properties. To access the physical and chemical properties of the asymmetric bilayer, we monitored the dye partition coefficients of individual leaflets and the generalized polarization of the fluorescence probe 6-dodecanoyl-2-[ N-methyl-N-(carboxymethyl)amino] naphthalene, a sensor for the lipid packing/order of its surroundings. For a high percentage of lipid exchange (>70%), the dye partition indicates induced-disordered and induced-ordered domains. The induced domains have distinct lipid packing/order compared to the symmetric liquid-disordered and liquid-ordered domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais A Enoki
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
| | - Gerald W Feigenson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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49
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Abstract
The lipid bilayer, together with embedded proteins, is the central structure in biomembranes. While artificial lipid bilayers are useful to model natural membranes, they are generally symmetric, with the same membrane lipid composition in each lipid monolayer (leaflet). In contrast, natural membranes are often asymmetric, with different lipids in each leaflet. To prepare asymmetric lipid vesicles, we developed cyclodextrin-catalyzed phospholipid exchange procedures. The basic method is that an excess of vesicles with one set of lipids (the donor vesicles) is mixed with a second set of vesicles (acceptor vesicles) with a different set of lipids. Cyclodextrin is introduced into the external aqueous solution, so that lipids in the outer leaflet of the vesicles bind to it and are shuttled between the vesicles. At equilibrium, the lipids in the outer leaflet of the acceptor vesicles are replaced by those from the donor vesicles. The exchanged acceptor vesicles are then isolated. Asymmetric vesicles are versatile in terms of vesicle sizes and lipid compositions that can be prepared. Measuring asymmetry is often difficult. A variety of assays can be used to measure the extent of asymmetry, but most are specific for one particular membrane lipid type or class, and there are none that can be used in all situations. Studies using asymmetric vesicles have begun to explore how asymmetry influences lipid movement across the bilayer, the formation of ordered lipid domains, coupling between the physical properties in each leaflet, and membrane protein conformation. Lipid domain formation stands out as one of the most important properties in which asymmetry is likely to be crucial. Lipid bilayers can exist in both liquidlike and solid/ordered-like states depending on lipid structure, and in lipid vesicles with a mixture of lipids highly ordered and disordered domains can coexist. However, until very recently, such studies only had been carried out in symmetric artificial membranes. Whether ordered domains (often called lipid rafts) and disordered lipid domains coexist in asymmetric cell membranes remains controversial partly because lipids favoring the formation of an ordered state are largely restricted to the leaflet facing the external environment. Studies using asymmetric vesicles have recently shown that each leaflet can influence the physical behavior of the other, i.e., that the domain forming properties in each leaflet tend to be coupled, with consequences highly dependent upon the details of lipid structure. Future studies investigating the dependence of coupling and properties upon the details of lipid composition should clarify the potential of natural membranes to form lipid domains. In addition, we recently extended the exchange method to living mammalian cells, using exchange to efficiently replace virtually the entire phospholipid and sphingolipid population of the plasma membrane outer leaflet with exogenous lipids without harming cells. This should allow detailed studies of the functional impact of lipid structure, asymmetry, domain organization, and interactions with membrane proteins in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin London
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and Department of Chemistry Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
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50
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Weiner MD, Feigenson GW. Molecular Dynamics Simulations Reveal Leaflet Coupling in Compositionally Asymmetric Phase-Separated Lipid Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:3968-3975. [PMID: 31009218 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b03488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The eukaryotic plasma membrane has an asymmetric distribution of its component lipids. Rafts that result from liquid-liquid phase separation are a feature of its exoplasmic leaflet, but how these exoplasmic leaflet domains are coupled to the cytoplasmic leaflet is not understood. These rafts can be studied in model membranes of three-component mixtures that produce coexisting liquid ordered (Lo) and liquid disordered (Ld) domains. We conducted all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of compositionally asymmetric lipid bilayers that reflect a more realistic model of the plasma membrane. One leaflet contained phase-separated domains with phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, representing the exoplasmic leaflet, whereas the other contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and cholesterol, which are the predominant components of the cytoplasmic leaflet. Inspired by findings of domain alignment across the two leaflets in compositionally symmetric model membranes, we examined the coupling between the two leaflets to see how the single-phase cytoplasmic leaflet would respond to phase separation in the other leaflet and if information could be communicated across the membrane. We found the region of the single-phase leaflet apposing the Lo domain to be slightly more ordered and thicker than the region apposing the Ld domain. The region across from the Lo domain is somewhat enriched in cholesterol and significantly depleted of polyunsaturated lipids.
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