Journal
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Volume 92, Issue 10, Pages 3603-3609Publisher
CELL PRESS
DOI: 10.1529/biophysj.106.100651
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The interactions between water and biological molecules have the potential to influence the structure, dynamics, and function of biological systems, hence the importance of revealing the nature of these interactions in relation to the local biochemical environment. We have investigated the structuring of water at the interface of supported dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayers in the gel phase in phosphate buffer solution using frequency modulation atomic force microscopy ( FM- AFM). We present experimental results supporting the existence of intrinsic ( i. e., surface- induced) hydration layers adjacent to the bilayer. The force versus distance curves measured between the bilayer and the AFM tip show oscillatory force pro. les with a peak spacing of 0.28 nm, indicative of the existence of up to two hydration layers next to the membrane surface. These oscillatory force pro. les reveal the molecular-scale origin of the hydration force that has been observed between two apposing lipid bilayers. Furthermore, FM- AFM imaging at the water/ lipid interface visualizes individual hydration layers in three dimensions, with molecular- scale corrugations corresponding to the lipid headgroups. The results demonstrate that the intrinsic hydration layers are stable enough to present multiple energy barriers to approaching nanoscale objects, such as proteins and solvated ions, and are expected to affect membrane permeability and transport.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available