Impact of Nanoscale Hindrances on the Relationship between Lipid Packing and Diffusion in Model Membranes.

Beckers D, Urbancic D, Sezgin E

J Phys Chem B 124 (8) 1487-1494 [2020-02-27; online 2020-02-18]

Membrane models have allowed for precise study of the plasma membrane's biophysical properties, helping to unravel both structural and dynamic motifs within cell biology. Freestanding and supported bilayer systems are popular models to reconstitute membrane-related processes. Although it is well-known that each have their advantages and limitations, comprehensive comparison of their biophysical properties is still lacking. Here, we compare the diffusion and lipid packing in giant unilamellar vesicles, planar and spherical supported membranes, and cell-derived giant plasma membrane vesicles. We apply florescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), spectral imaging, and super-resolution stimulated emission depletion FCS to study the diffusivity, lipid packing, and nanoscale architecture of these membrane systems, respectively. Our data show that lipid packing and diffusivity is tightly correlated in freestanding bilayers. However, nanoscale interactions in the supported bilayers cause deviation from this correlation. These data are essential to develop accurate theoretical models of the plasma membrane and will serve as a guideline for suitable model selection in future studies to reconstitute biological processes.

Erdinc Sezgin

SciLifeLab Fellow

PubMed 32026676

DOI 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c00445

Crossref 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c00445

pmc: PMC7050011


Publications 9.5.0