title: Scanning tunneling microscopic (STM) analysis of the phospholipid bilayer surface characteristics in the P beta phase. Secondary ripples.
abstract: Previous investigations have elaborated on the necessity for dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) molecules to conform in a ripple phase at the temperature intermediate between the transition and pretransition in order to protect the hydrophilic-hydrophobic polarity of the bilayer. Present observations, in addition to the asymmetric P beta phase of 11.1 +/- 1.3 nm wave-length, demonstrate orthogonal corrugations perpendicular to the main wave direction. Whether this is a prerequisite for maintaining the molecular order-disorder balance at such specific temperature, or it results from yet unknown source is unclear at present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy-Cell Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vidić
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Obcemea
mesh_terms: D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine