title: Conformational Space of a Polyphilic Molecule with a Fluorophilic Side Chain Integrated in a DPPC Bilayer.
abstract: We investigate the conformational space of a polyphilic molecule with hydrophilic, lipophilic and fluorophilic parts inserted as a transmembrane agent into a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer by means of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Special focus is put on the competing structural driving forces arising from the hydrophilic, lipophilic and fluorophilic side chains and the aromatic backbone of the polyphile. We observe a significant difference between the lipophilic and the fluorophilic side chains regarding their intramembrane distribution. While the lipophilic groups remain membrane-centered, the fluorophilic parts tend to orient toward the phosphate headgroups. This trend is important for understanding the influence of polyphile agents on the properties of phospholipid membranes. From a fundamental point of view, our computed distribution functions of the side chains are related to the interplay of sterical, enthalpic and entropic driving forces. Our findings illustrate the potential of rationally designed membrane additives which can be exploited to tune the properties of phospholipid membranes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London, United Kingdom.|Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, Halle, 06120, Germany.
authors.forename: Guido F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: von Rudorff
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, Halle, 06120, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watermann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, Halle, 06120, Germany.
authors.forename: Xiang-Yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, Halle, 06120, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
mesh_terms: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / Q000737:chemistry*; D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D056004:Molecular Dynamics Simulation; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
keywords: DPPC; molecular dynamics; perflourinated side chain; polyphilic molecule; transmembrane