Direct imaging of lipid-ion network formation under physiological conditions by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy.
Various metal cations in physiological solutions interact with lipid headgroups in biological membranes, having an impact on their structure and stability, yet little is known about the molecular-scale dynamics of the lipid-ion interactions. Here we directly investigate the extensive lipid-ion interaction networks and their transient formation between headgroups in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer under physiological conditions. The spatial distribution of ion occupancy is imaged in real space by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy with sub-Angstrom resolution.
Fukuma
Takeshi
T
Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices, Lincoln Place Gate, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Higgins
Michael J
MJ
Jarvis
Suzanne P
SP