title: Characterization of the sub-main-transition in distearoylphosphatidylcholine studied by simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction.
abstract: Simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the structural conversions in the so-called sub-main-transition of fully hydrated multilamellar vesicles of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC). The small-angle diffraction patterns show a modification in the supramolecular structure of the corrugated lipid bilayer and reveal that the sub-main-transition does not abolish the general features of the ripple phase (P(beta')). Concomitantly in the wide-angle region the diffraction patterns exhibit a rearrangement of the hydrocarbon chain packing and an onset of chain melting. The presence of KCl show an enhancement of the effects of the sub-main-transition. Moreover, in the ripple phase (P(beta')) below the sub-main-transition the hydrocarbon chains are positioned on an orthorhombic lattice in the presence of KCl.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics and X-ray Structure Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Graz.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pressl
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laggner
mesh_terms: D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000737:chemistry*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D012996:Solutions; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D012996:Solutions; D011189:Potassium Chloride; C010942:1,2-distearoyllecithin