title: Phospholipid mesophases at solid interfaces: in-situ X-ray diffraction and spin-label studies.
abstract: In this work, we report on recent investigations, both on the global and on the local molecular architecture of supported phospholipid model membranes. A brief theoretical introduction explains how global structural information on supramolecular lipid ensembles can be retrieved from surface X-ray diffraction measurements as well as how spin-label electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) provides complementary information on the local environment of probe molecules. The combination of especially designed X-ray cells with the technique of small- and wide-angle X-ray surface scattering makes it possible to explore various fields of lipid research and its applications. Examples for different physico-chemical conditions are presented: (i) in situ chemistry under excess of water conditions demonstrating how solid-supported lipid films sense salinity, (ii) the 3D electron density reconstruction of a vesicle-fusion intermediate under controlled humidity, and (iii) complementary temperature and pressure effects on oriented phospholipid samples. Further, special attention has been given to the influence of different film preparation techniques with respect to quality and the defect structure manifestation. To resolve the proportions and local properties of defects in a hydrated lipid-deposited surface, spin-label EPR was applied. The results from 9.6 GHz EPR as well as from 1.2 GHz EPR suggest the alignment to be in the range between 30% and 80%. In addition, slow time-dependent EPR measurements point to nano-structural rearrangements due to water flow and reduction of alignment quality.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics and X-Ray Structure Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Schmiedlstrasse 6, A-8042 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rappolt
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amenitsch
authors.forename: Janez
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strancar
authors.forename: Cilaine V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kriechbaum
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pabst
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majerowicz
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laggner
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008433:Mathematics; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D013113:Spin Labels; D013499:Surface Properties; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010743:Phospholipids; D013113:Spin Labels