title: Membrane morphology modifications induced by hydroquinones.
abstract: We synthesize and characterize alkylthiohydroquinones (ATHs) in order to investigate their interactions with lipid model membranes, POPE and POPC. We observe the formation of structures with different morphologies, or curvature of the lipid bilayer, depending on pH and increasing temperature. We attribute their formation to changes in the balance charge/polarity induced by the ATHs. Mixtures of ATHs with POPE at pH 4 form two cubic phases, P4(3)32 and Im3m, that reach a maximum lattice size at 40 °C while under basic conditions these phases only expand upon heating from room temperature. The cubic phases coexist with lamellar or hexagonal phases and are associated with inhomogeneous distribution of the ATH molecules over the lipid matrix. The zwitterionic POPC does not form cubic phases but instead shows lamellar structures with no clear influence of the 2,6-BATH.
authors.affiliation: HASYLAB/Deutsches Elektronensynchrotron (DESY), Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany. sergio.funari@desy.de
authors.forename: Sérgio S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Funari
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rebbin
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marzorati
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: di Vitta
mesh_terms: D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000737:chemistry*; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D006873:Hydroquinones; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; C057561:1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine; C028694:1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine