Fluidity modulation of phospholipid bilayers by electrolyte ions: Insights from fluorescence microscopy and microslit electrokinetic experiments

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Fluidity and charging of supported bilayer lipid membranes (sBLMs) prepared from 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) were studied by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and microslit electrokinetic measurements at varying pH and ionic composition of the electrolyte. Measurements in neutral electrolytes (KCl, NaCl) revealed a strong correlation between the membrane fluidity and the membrane charging due to unsymmetrical water ion adsorption (OH - ≫ H 3O +). The membrane fluidity significantly decreased below the isoelectric point of 3.9, suggesting a phase transition in the bilayer. The interactions of both chaotropic anions and strongly kosmotropic cations with the zwitterionic lipids were found to be related with nearly unhindered lipid mobility in the acidic pH range. While for the chaotropic anions the observed effect correlates with the increased negative net charge at low pH, no correlation was found between the changes in the membrane fluidity and charge in the presence of kosmotropic cations. We discuss the observed phenomena with respect to the interaction of the electrolyte ions with the lipid headgroup and the influence of this process on the headgroup orientation and hydration as well as on the lipid packaging.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6519-6525
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry A
Volume116
Issue number25
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jun 2012
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 22304400
ORCID /0000-0003-0189-3448/work/162347641

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas