title: The origin of cholesterol's condensing effect.
abstract: The condensing effect of cholesterol on fluid bilayers of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine has been compared with that of dihydrocholesterol and coprostanol by means of nearest-neighbor recognition measurements. Whereas dihydrocholesterol exhibits a condensing power that is equivalent to that of cholesterol, the action of coprostanol is significantly weaker. These results provide strong support for a template mechanism of condensation and argue against an umbrella mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States.
authors.forename: Trevor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Minghui
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Regen
mesh_terms: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry; D004083:Cholestanol / Q000737:chemistry; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D004083:Cholestanol; D002784:Cholesterol