Near-Field Structural Studies of Lipid Bilayers

Structural studies of polymer-cushioned lipid bilayers.

The structure of softly supported polymer-cushioned lipid bilayers, prepared in two different ways at the quartz-solution interface, were determined using neutron reflectometry. The polymer cushion consisted of a thin layer of branched, cationic polyethyleneimine (PEI), and the bilayers were formed by adsorption of small unilamellar dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles. When vesicles ...

Structural proton diffusion along lipid bilayers.

For H(+) transport between protein pumps, lateral diffusion along membrane surfaces represents the most efficient pathway. Along lipid bilayers, we measured a diffusion coefficient of 5.8 x 10(-5) cm(2) s(-1). It is too large to be accounted for by vehicle diffusion, considering proton transport by acid carriers. Such a speed of migration is accomplished only by the Grotthuss mechanism involvin...

Bilayers A Structural Mechanism for MscS Gating in Lipid

www.sciencemag.org (this information is current as of October 17, 2008 ): The following resources related to this article are available online at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/321/5893/1210 version of this article at: including high-resolution figures, can be found in the online Updated information and services, http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/321/5893/1210/DC1 can be fo...

Structure of lipid bilayers.

The quantitative experimental uncertainty in the structure of fully hydrated, biologically relevant, fluid (L(alpha)) phase lipid bilayers has been too large to provide a firm base for applications or for comparison with simulations. Many structural methods are reviewed including modern liquid crystallography of lipid bilayers that deals with the fully developed undulation fluctuations that occ...

Structural Studies of Supported Bilayers as Cell Membrane Model Systems