1-Alkanols and membranes: a story of attraction.

Böckmann R, Griepernau B (2007)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2007

Journal

BBA - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta Elsevier

Publisher: Elsevier

Book Volume: 1768

Pages Range: 2899-913

Volume: 1768

Issue: 11

Journal Issue: 11

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2007.08.002

Abstract

Although 1-alkanols have long been known to act as penetration enhancers and anesthetics, the mode of operation is not yet understood. In this study, long-time molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the effect of 1-alkanols of various carbon chain lengths onto the structure and dynamics of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers. The simulations were complemented by microcalorimetry, continuous bleaching and film balance experiments. In the simulations, all investigated 1-alkanols assembled inside the lipid bilayer within tens of nanoseconds. Their hydroxyl groups bound preferentially to the lipid carbonyl group and the hydrocarbon chains stretched into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. Both molecular dynamics simulations and experiments showed that all 1-alkanols drastically affected the bilayer properties. Insertion of long-chain 1-alkanols decreased the area per lipid while increasing the thickness of the bilayer and the order of the lipids. The bilayer elasticity was reduced and the diffusive motion of the lipids within the bilayer plane was suppressed. On the other hand, integration of ethanol into the bilayer enlarged the area per lipid. The bilayer became softer and lipid diffusion was enhanced.

Authors with CRIS profile

Rainer Böckmann Professur für Computational Biology

Involved external institutions

Universität zu Köln DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Böckmann, R., & Griepernau, B. (2007). 1-Alkanols and membranes: a story of attraction. BBA - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1768(11), 2899-913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamem.2007.08.002

MLA:

Böckmann, Rainer, and Beate Griepernau. "1-Alkanols and membranes: a story of attraction." BBA - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1768.11 (2007): 2899-913.

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