The influence of curvature on membrane domains.
An interdependence between local curvature and domain formation has been observed in both cell and model membranes. An implication of this observation is that domain formation in model membranes may be modulated by membrane curvature. In this paper, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is used to examine the influence of membrane curvature (i.e., vesicle size) on the formation of membrane domains. It is found that, although vesicle size and polydispersity are not significantly altered by the formation of membrane domains, the area fraction occupied by domains depends on the overall vesicle size. In particular, increasing membrane curvature (i.e., decreasing vesicle size) results in increased area fractions of membrane domains.
Pencer
Jeremy
J
National Research Council, Canadian Neutron Beam Centre, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, ON K0J1J0, Canada.
Jackson
Andrew
A
Kucerka
Norbert
N
Nieh
Mu-Ping
MP
Katsaras
John
J
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000737:chemistry; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D033363:Neutron Diffraction; D053838:Scattering, Small Angle; D013696:Temperature; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry
D045424:Complex Mixtures; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes