Effects of Al3+ on Phosphocholine and Phosphoglycerol Containing Solid Supported Lipid Bilayers
Journal article, 2016

Aluminum has attracted great attention recently as it has been suggested by several studies to be associated with increased risks for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The toxicity of the trivalent ion is assumed to derive from structural changes induced in lipid bilayers upon binding, though the mechanism of this process is still not well understood. In the present study we elucidate the effect of Al3+ on supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) using fluorescence microscopy, the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technique, dual-polarization interferometry (DPI), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results from these techniques show that binding of Al3+ to SLBs containing negatively charged and neutral phospholipids induces irreversible changes such as domain formation. The measured variations in SLB thickness, birefringence, and density indicate a phase transition from a disordered to a densely packed ordered phase.

Author

H. K. Wayment-Steele

Pomona College

Yujia Jing

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

M. J. Swann

Swann Scientific Consulting Ltd.

L. E. Johnson

University of Washington

Pomona College

Björn Agnarsson

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Sofia Svedhem

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

M. S. Johal

Pomona College

Angelika Kunze

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Langmuir

07437463 (ISSN) 15205827 (eISSN)

Vol. 32 7 1771-1781

Subject Categories

Biophysics

DOI

10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b03999

More information

Latest update

3/19/2018