Abstract

We propose to perform x-ray diffraction studies into the physical basis of membrane stability. It is known that phospholipids spontaneously assemble in a variety of bilayer and non-bilayer structures. Our research is aimed at understanding the molecular forces which stabilize bilayers in lieu of non-bilayer structures. This must be understood if the structural roles of different types of biomembrane lipids are to be elucidated. Specifically: 1) The elastic properties of lipid layers will be investigated. Of particular importance is the measurement of a thermodynamic parameter specifying the tendency for a given lipid layer to curl. 2) Correlations between the tendency to curl and destabilization caused by lipophilic agents (e.g., oil, alcohols, anaesthetics and polypeptides) will be examined. 3) The hydration potentials of lipid headgroups will be measured. 4) Synthetic asymmetric lipid bilayers will be made and the phase transition behavior will be studied. 5) The phase transition behavior of novel lipids will be examined.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM032614-08
Application #
3281628
Study Section
Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry B Study Section (BBCB)
Project Start
1986-04-01
Project End
1991-03-31
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-03-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Princeton University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
002484665
City
Princeton
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08544

  Publications

Mannock, David A; Collins, Marcus D; Kreichbaum, Manfried et al. (2007) The thermotropic phase behaviour and phase structure of a homologous series of racemic beta-D-galactosyl dialkylglycerols studied by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Chem Phys Lipids 148:26-50
Mannock, D A; Lewis, R N; McElhaney, R N et al. (2001) An analysis of the relationship between fatty acid composition and the lamellar gel to liquid-crystalline and the lamellar to inverted nonlamellar phase transition temperatures of phosphatidylethanolamines and diacyl-alpha-D-glucosyl glycerols. Eur Biophys J 30:537-54
Harper, P E; Mannock, D A; Lewis, R N et al. (2001) X-ray diffraction structures of some phosphatidylethanolamine lamellar and inverted hexagonal phases. Biophys J 81:2693-706
Mannock, D A; Harper, P E; Gruner, S M et al. (2001) The physical properties of glycosyl diacylglycerols. Calorimetric, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform spectroscopic studies of a homologous series of 1,2-di-O-acyl-3-O-(beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-sn-glycerols. Chem Phys Lipids 111:139-61
Keller, S L; Gruner, S M; Gawrisch, K (1996) Small concentrations of alamethicin induce a cubic phase in bulk phosphatidylethanolamine mixtures. Biochim Biophys Acta 1278:241-6
Lafleur, M; Bloom, M; Eikenberry, E F et al. (1996) Correlation between lipid plane curvature and lipid chain order. Biophys J 70:2747-57
Osterberg, F; Rilfors, L; Wieslander, A et al. (1995) Lipid extracts from membranes of Acholeplasma laidlawii A grown with different fatty acids have a nearly constant spontaneous curvature. Biochim Biophys Acta 1257:18-24
Mannock, D A; McElhaney, R N; Harper, P E et al. (1994) Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies of the thermotropic phase behavior of the diastereomeric di-tetradecyl-beta-D-galactosyl glycerols and their mixture. Biophys J 66:734-40
Lewis, R N; McElhaney, R N; Osterberg, F et al. (1994) Enigmatic thermotropic phase behavior of highly asymmetric mixed-chain phosphatidylcholines that form mixed-interdigitated gel phases. Biophys J 66:207-16
Lewis, R N; McElhaney, R N; Harper, P E et al. (1994) Studies of the thermotropic phase behavior of phosphatidylcholines containing 2-alkyl substituted fatty acyl chains: a new class of phosphatidylcholines forming inverted nonlamellar phases. Biophys J 66:1088-103

Showing the most recent 10 out of 38 publications