Ethanol-induced perturbations to planar lipid bilayer structures

J Phys Chem B. 2014 Jan 16;118(2):537-46. doi: 10.1021/jp410305m. Epub 2014 Jan 7.

Abstract

We report on the formation of planar lipid bilayer structures on mica where the bilayer contains the phosphocholine 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC), cholesterol, sphingomyelin and sulforhodamine-tagged-1,2-dioleoyl-sn-phosphatidylethanolamine (SR-DOPE). Phase separation is seen for the cholesterol domains within the bilayer structure, and exposure of this supported bilayer to controlled concentrations of ethanol reveals organizational changes on both the micrometer- and molecular-length scales. We report steady state fluorescence imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and fluorescence anisotropy decay imaging for these bilayers. These data are complementary to existing information on the interactions of lipid bilayers with ethanol and point to subtle but important changes in the molecular-scale organization of these structures.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cholesterol / chemistry
  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Fluorescence Polarization
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / chemistry
  • Sphingomyelins / chemistry

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines
  • Sphingomyelins
  • Ethanol
  • 1,2-dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine
  • Cholesterol
  • 1,2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine