Interaction of long-chain n-alcohols with fluid DOPC bilayers: a neutron diffraction study

Gen Physiol Biophys. 2010 Dec;29(4):355-61. doi: 10.4149/gpb_2010_04_355.

Abstract

Lamellar phases composed of fluid dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) bilayers containing alkan-1-ols (CnOH, n = 8, 10, 14, 16, 18 is the number of carbon atoms) at CnOH : DOPC = 0.3 molar ratio and hydrated with heavy water at 20.2 ≥ D2O : DOPC ≥ 14.4 molar ratio were studied by neutron diffraction. The bilayer thickness d(L) and the bilayer surface area A(L) per DOPC at the bilayer-water interface were obtained from the lamellar repeat period d using molecular volumes of DOPC, CnOH and D2O, and the Luzatti's method. Both the d(L) and A(L) increase with the CnOH chain length n at CnOH : DOPC = 0.3 molar ratio: d(L) = (3.888 ± 0.066) + (0.016 ± 0.005)·n (in nm), A(L) = (0.6711 ± 0.0107) + (0.0012 ± 0.0008)·n (in nm²).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemistry*
  • Alcohols / metabolism*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Membrane Fluidity*
  • Neutron Diffraction*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / metabolism*
  • Scattering, Small Angle

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • 1,2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine