Simulation of domain formation in DLPC-DSPC mixed bilayers.
Binary mixtures of two phosphatidylcholines of different chain lengths are simulated in the bilayer state. We find a phase transition between a liquid state and a gel state at all concentrations. This phase transition is characterized by the area per lipid headgroup, the order parameter, and a change in dynamics. At concentrations with a majority of the longer lipid, we find phase separation into a gel and a liquid state in a small temperature window. This leads to a strong dynamic heterogeneity. Experimental phase transition temperatures are reproduced semiquantitatively. We see a clear shift in the phase transition to higher temperatures with increasing concentration of the longer lipid.
Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Roland
R
Faller
Siewert-Jan
SJ
Marrink
D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D044367:Phase Transition; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C002448:1,2-linoleoylphosphatidylcholine; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine