title: X-rays destroy the lamellar structure of model membranes.
abstract: Lipid membranes undergo a dramatic lamellar-to-non-lamellar phase transformation upon being irradiated with X-rays. The structure change was evidenced by chemical breakdown of the lipid and by a change in the X-ray diffraction properties of the model membrane indicating complete disruption of lamellar stacking. Considering the importance of X-ray diffraction as a structure probe the problem of radiation damage to biological materials must be duly recognized. Because X-ray damage has been shown to be free radical-mediated these results suggest a means by which free radicals accumulating in cells during aging might compromise membrane integrity and contribute to cell death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1173.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caffrey
mesh_terms: D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines