Self-aggregation--an intrinsic property of G(M1) in lipid bilayers

Mol Membr Biol. 2007 Mar-Apr;24(2):102-12. doi: 10.1080/09687860600995235.

Abstract

We demonstrate that the ganglioside G(M1) in lipid bilayers of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) exhibits a non-uniform lateral distribution, i.e., enriched regions of GM(1) molecules are formed, which is an argument in favour of self-aggregation of G(M1) being an intrinsic property of G(M1) ganglioside. This was concluded from energy transfer/migration studies of BODIPY-labelled gangliosides by means of time-resolved fluorescence lifetime and depolarization experiments. Three fluorophore-labelled gangliosides were synthesized to include either of two spectroscopically different BODIPY groups. These were specifically localized either in the polar headgroup region or in the non-polar region of the lipid bilayer. An eventual ganglioside-ganglioside affinity/aggregation induced by the BODIPY groups was experimentally excluded, which suggests their use in examining the influence of G(M1) in more complex systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Energy Transfer
  • G(M1) Ganglioside / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemical synthesis
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Models, Biological
  • Surface Properties
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemical synthesis
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemistry

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Unilamellar Liposomes
  • G(M1) Ganglioside