Toward a mathematical model of the assembly and disassembly of membrane microdomains: comparison with experimental models.
We study a model system in which lipid bilayers are created using variable (precisely known) proportions of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. The model membranes exhibit cholesterol-enriched microdomains that are analogous to the so-called "lipid rafts" that form in living cells. After briefly presenting some experimental results, we formulate and solve a novel mathematical model based on the Smoluchowski equations for coagulation and fragmentation. We present a comparison between the distribution of lipid-raft areas observed in experimental lipid bilayers, and that distribution predicted by the theoretical model. Excellent agreement between the experiments and theory is obtained, with minimal parameter fitting.
Richardson
G
G
School of Mathematical Sciences, School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom. Giles.Richardson@nottingham.ac.uk
Cummings
L J
LJ
Harris
H J
HJ
O'Shea
P
P
D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008081:Liposomes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D002784:Cholesterol