Journal Article

FZJ-2025-02776

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Nanoscale dynamics in model phospholipid biomembranes probed by muon spin resonance spectroscopy: The effects of membrane composition and temperature on acyl chain and cholesterol motion

McKenzie, I. (Corresponding author) ; DiPasquale, M. ; Dziura, M. ; Gutberlet, T.FZJ* ; Hartwig, N. A. ; Karner, V. L. ; Scheuermann, R. ; Marquardt, D.

2025
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2025.105496  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2025-02776

Abstract: The physical properties of lipid bilayers are known to depend on their composition, but there has recently been controversy about whether cholesterol (chol) does or does not stiffen biomembranes containing unsaturated phospholipids. Herein, avoided level crossing muon spin resonance (ALC-𝜇SR) spectroscopy has been used to probe the local dynamics in model biomembranes composed of the saturated phospholipid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), the unsaturated phospholipids 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), and the sterol chol. The presence of chol significantly stiffens the acyl chains in lipid mixtures as evident from the reduction of the amplitude of restricted reorientational motion in the acyl chain at the C9-C10 position and the increase of the torsional barrier for rotation about the bonds in the acyl chain. Swapping POPC for DOPC slightly increases the amplitude of restricted reorientational motion and decreases the torsional barrier of the acyl chains, but the magnitude of the effect is much smaller than the inclusion of chol.

Keyword(s): Health and Life (1st) ; Soft Condensed Matter (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Streumethoden (JCNS-2)
2. High Brilliance Source (JCNS-HBS)
3. JARA-FIT (JARA-FIT)

Research Program(s):

1. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)
2. 6G4 - Jülich Centre for Neutron Research (JCNS) (FZJ) (POF4-6G4) (POF4-6G4)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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