Structure of symmetric and asymmetric "ripple" phases in lipid bilayers.
We reproduce the symmetric and asymmetric "rippled" P(beta') states of lipid membranes by Monte Carlo simulations of a coarse-grained molecular model for lipid-solvent mixtures. The structure and properties compare favorably with experiments. The asymmetric ripple state is characterized by a periodic array of fully interdigitated "defect" lines. The symmetric ripple state maintains a bilayer structure, but is otherwise structurally similar. The main force driving the formation of both ripple states is the propensity of lipid molecules with large head groups to exhibit splay.
Lenz
Olaf
O
Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
Schmid
Friederike
F
D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009010:Monte Carlo Method
D008051:Lipid Bilayers