AFM imaging of lipid domains in model membranes

ScientificWorldJournal. 2003 Mar 17:3:59-74. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2003.12.

Abstract

Characterization of the two-dimensional organization of biological membranes is one of the most important issues that remains to be achieved in order to understand their structure-function relationships. According to the current view, biological membranes would be organized in in-plane functional microdomains. At least for one category of them, called rafts, the lateral segregation would be driven by lipid-lipid interactions. Basic questions like the size, the kinetics of formation, or the transbilayer organization of lipid microdomains are still a matter of debate, even in model membranes. Because of its capacity to image structures with a resolution that extends from the molecular to the microscopic level, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a useful tool for probing the mesoscopic lateral organization of lipid mixtures. This paper reviews AFM studies on lateral lipid domains induced by lipid-lipid interactions in model membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Membrane Lipids / chemistry*
  • Membrane Microdomains / chemistry
  • Membrane Microdomains / ultrastructure*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force*
  • Phospholipids / chemistry

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Phospholipids