title: Thermo-induced vesicular dynamics of membranes containing cholesterol derivatives.
abstract: Membrane structural organization is an intrinsic property of a cell membrane. Any changes in lipid composition, and/or any stimuli that affect molecular packing induce structural re-organization. It membrane dynamics provide a means by which changes in structure organization can be determined, upon a change in the membrane internal or external environment. Here, we report on the effect of thermo-stress on membranes containing cholesterol liquid crystal (LC) compounds cholesterol benzoate (BENZO) and oxidized cholesterols. We have (1) revealed that lipid vesicles containing this artificial cholesterol derivative (BENZO) is thermo-responsive, and that this thermo-sensitivity is significantly similar to naturally oxy-cholesterols (2) elucidated the mechanism behind the membrane perturbation. Using Langmuir monolayer experiments, we have demonstrated that membrane perturbation was due to an increase in the molecular surface area, (3) discussed the similarities between cholesterol benzoate in the cholesterol LC state and in lipid bilayer membranes. Last, (4) drawing from previously reported findings, our new data on membrane dynamics, and the discussion above, we propose that artificial cholesterol derivatives such as BENZO, open new possibilities for controlled and tailored design using model membrane systems. Examples could include the development of membrane technology and provide a trigger for  progress in thermo-tropical liquid crystal engineering.
authors: School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa, Japan.
authors: Tsuyoshi
authors: T
authors: Yoda
authors: Mun'delanji C
authors: MC
authors: Vestergaard
authors: Tsutomu
authors: T
authors: Hamada
authors: Phuc Thi Minh
authors: PT
authors: Le
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Takagi
mesh_terms: D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007653:Ketocholesterols / Q000737:chemistry; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial
chemical_list: D007653:Ketocholesterols; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002784:Cholesterol; C003001:7-ketocholesterol