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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

Nanoparticle-mediated intracellular lipid accumulation during C2C12 cell differentiation

Research highlights: {yields} HTT2800 has a significant effect on intracellular lipid accumulation. {yields} HTT2800 reduced muscle-specific genes and led to the emergence of adipocyte-related genes. {yields} HT2800 converts the differentiation pathway of C2C12 myoblasts to that of adipoblast-like cells. -- Abstract: In this report, we sought to elucidate whether multiwall carbon nanotubes are involved in the modulation of the proliferation and differentiation of the skeletal muscle cell line C2C12. Skeletal muscle is a major mass peripheral tissue that accounts for 40% of total body weight and 50% of energy consumption. We focused on the differentiation pathway of myoblasts after exposure to a vapor-grown carbon fiber, HTT2800, which is one of the most highly purified carbon nanotubes. This treatment leads in parallel to the expression of a typical adipose differentiation program. We found that HTT2800 stimulated intracellular lipid accumulation in C2C12 cells. We have also shown by quantified PCR analysis that the expression of adipose-related genes was markedly upregulated during HTT2800 exposure. Taken together, these results suggest that HTT2800 specifically converts the differentiation pathway of C2C12 myoblasts to that of adipoblast-like cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) diminishes lipid droplet-coating proteins leading to lipolysis in adipocytes

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer AIM induces lipolysis in a distinct manner from that of hormone-dependent lipolysis. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer AIM ablates activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor in adipocytes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer AIM reduces mRNA levels of lipid-droplet coating proteins leading to lipolysis. -- Abstract: Under fasting conditions, triacylglycerol in adipose tissue undergoes lipolysis to supply fatty acids as energy substrates. Such lipolysis is regulated by hormones, which activate lipases via stimulation of specific signalling cascades. We previously showed that macrophage-derived soluble protein, AIM induces obesity-associated lipolysis, triggering chronic inflammation in fat tissue which causes insulin resistance. However, the mechanism of how AIM mediates lipolysis remains unknown. Here we show that AIM induces lipolysis in a manner distinct from that of hormone-dependent lipolysis, without activation or augmentation of lipases. In vivo and in vitro, AIM did not enhance phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in adipocytes, a hallmark of hormone-dependent lipolysis activation. Similarly, adipose tissue from obese AIM-deficient and wild-type mice showed comparable HSL phosphorylation. Consistent with the suppressive effect of AIM on fatty acid synthase activity, the amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was reduced in adipocytes treated with AIM. This response ablated transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR{gamma}), leading to diminished gene expression of lipid-droplet coating proteins including fat-specific protein 27 (FSP27) and Perilipin, which are indispensable for triacylglycerol storage in adipocytes. Accordingly, the lipolytic effect of AIM was overcome by a PPAR{gamma}-agonist or forced expression of FSP27, while it was synergized by a PPAR{gamma}-antagonist. Overall, distinct modes of lipolysis appear to take place in different physiological situations; one is a supportive response against nutritional deprivation achieved by enhancing lipase activity, and the other is a pathological consequence of obesity, causing subclinical inflammation and metabolic disorders, mediated by abolishing droplet-coating proteins.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Inhibition of VEGF-dependent angiogenesis by the anti-CD82 monoclonal antibody 4F9 through regulation of lipid raft microdomains

CD82 (also known as KAI1) belongs to the tetraspanin superfamily of type III transmembrane proteins, and is involved in regulating cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. In contrast to these well-established roles of CD82 in tumor biology, its function in endothelial cell (EC) activity and tumor angiogenesis is yet to be determined. In this study, we show that suppression of CD82 negatively regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. Moreover, we demonstrate that the anti-CD82 mAb 4F9 effectively inhibits phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), which is the principal mediator of the VEGF-induced angiogenic signaling process in tumor angiogenesis, by regulating the organization of the lipid raft microdomain signaling platform in human EC. Our present work therefore suggests that CD82 on EC is a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy in VEGFR2-dependent tumor angiogenesis. -- Highlights: •Knockdown of CD82 decreases EC migration, proliferation and angiogenesis. •Anti-CD82 mAb 4F9 inhibits EC migration, proliferation and angiogenesis. •4F9 inhibits VEGFR2 phosphorylation via control of CD82 distribution in lipid rafts.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Redefining the product portfolio of oilcane bagasse biorefinery: Recovering natural colorants, vegetative lipids and sugars

Bioenergy crops have been known for their ability to produce biofuels and bioproducts. In this study, the product portfolio of recently developed transgenic sugarcane (oilcane) bagasse has been redefined for recovering natural pigments (anthocyanins), sugars, and vegetative lipids. The total anthocyanin content in oilcane bagasse has been estimated as 92.9 ± 18.9 µg/g of dried bagasse with cyanidin-3-glucoside (13.5 ± 18.9 µg per g of dried bagasse) as the most prominent anthocyanin present. More than 85 % (w/w) of the total anthocyanins were recovered from oilcane bagasse at a pretreatment temperature of 150 °C for 15 min. These conditions for the hydrothermal pretreatment also led to a 2-fold increase in the glucose yield upon the enzymatic saccharification of the pretreated bagasse. Further, a 1.5-fold enrichment of the vegetative lipids was demonstrated in the pretreated residue. Re-defining green biorefineries with multiple high-value products in a zero-waste approach is the need of the hour for attaining sustainability.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Evidence of lipid peroxidation and protein phosphorylation in cells upon oxidative stress photo generated by fullerols

An oxidative stress (OS) state is characterized by the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in a biological system above its capacity to counterbalance them. Exposure to OS induces the accumulation of intracellular ROS, which in turn causes cell damage in the form of protein, lipid, and/or DNA oxidations. Such conditions are believed to be linked to numerous diseases or simply to the ageing of tissues. However, the controlled generation of ROS via photosensitizing drugs or photosensitizers (PS) is now widely used to treat various tumors and other infections. Here we present a method to track the chemical changes in a cell after exposure to oxidative stress. OS is induced via fullerols, a custom made water soluble derivative of fullerene (C{sub 60}), under visible light illumination. Synchrotron-based Fourier Transform InfraRed Microspectroscopy (S-FTIRM) was used to assess the chemical makeup of single cells after OS exposure. Consequently, a chemical fingerprint of oxidative stress was probed in this study through an increase in the bands linked with lipid peroxidation (carbonyl ester group at 1740 cm{sup -1}) and protein phosphorylation (asymmetric phosphate stretching at 1240 cm{sup -1}).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

The 2.5 Å Structure of CD1c in Complex with a Mycobacterial Lipid Reveals an Open Groove Ideally Suited for Diverse Antigen Presentation

CD1 molecules function to present lipid-based antigens to T cells. Here we present the crystal structure of CD1c at 2.5 {angstrom} resolution, in complex with the pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen mannosyl-{beta}1-phosphomycoketide (MPM). CD1c accommodated MPM's methylated alkyl chain exclusively in the A pocket, aided by a unique exit portal underneath the {alpha}1 helix. Most striking was an open F pocket architecture lacking the closed cavity structure of other CD1 molecules, reminiscent of peptide binding grooves of classical major histocompatibility complex molecules. This feature, combined with tryptophan-fluorescence quenching during loading of a dodecameric lipopeptide antigen, provides a compelling model by which both the lipid and peptide moieties of the lipopeptide are involved in CD1c presentation of lipopeptides.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Application of lipid-stabilized liquid-liquid interfaces in 3D printing of biomaterials

Developing strategies to stabilize liquid-liquid interfaces is essential for advancing applications in various biomedical systems. This study introduces a novel biocompatible in situ-forming material in which lipid self-assembly stabilizes water–oil interfaces, enabling controlled structuring of liquids through liquid-in-liquid 3D printing. The stabilization process, driven by the formation of nanostructures at the interface, is thoroughly analyzed through small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), rheometry, and microscopy techniques. This material system enables the fabrication of complex 3D constructs, including fibers, substrates, and microneedle patches, which exhibit outstanding mechanical properties and biocompatibility, as confirmed by tensile testing and cell viability tests. Here, by leveraging the unique properties of lipid-stabilized interfaces, this work demonstrates the potential of this approach for diverse biomedical applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering while establishing a foundation for future advancements in liquid-in-liquid 3D printing technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Synchrotron X-ray Scattering Analysis of the Interaction Between Corn Starch and an Exogenous Lipid During Hydrothermal Treatment

Lipids have an important effect on starch physicochemical properties. There exist few reports about the effect of exogenous lipids on native corn starch structural properties. In this work, a study of the morphological, structural and thermal properties of native corn starch with L-alpha-lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC, the main phospholipid in corn) was performed under an excess of water. Synchrotron radiation, in the form of real-time small and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), was used in order to track structural changes in corn starch, in the presence of LPC during a heating process from 30 to 85 C. When adding LCP, water absorption decreased within starch granule amorphous regions during gelatinization. This is explained by crystallization of the amylose-LPC inclusion complex during gelatinization, which promotes starch granule thermal stability at up to 95 C. Finally, a conceptual model is proposed for explaining the formation mechanism of the starch-LPC complex.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Extracellular vesicles in β cell biology: Role of lipids in vesicle biogenesis, cargo, and intercellular signaling

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex autoimmune disorder whose pathogenesis involves an intricate interplay between ß cells of the pancreatic islet, other islet cells, and cells of the immune system. Direct intercellular communication within the islet occurs via cell surface proteins and indirect intercellular communication has traditionally been as occurring via secreted proteins (e.g., endocrine hormones and cytokines). However, recent literature suggests that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by ß cells constitute an additional and biologically important mechanism for transmitting signals to adjacent ß cells or immune cells. Scope of Review: This review summarizes the general mechanisms of EV formation, with a particular focus on how lipids and lipid signaling pathways influence their formation and cargo. We review the implications of EV release from ß cells for T1D pathogenesis, how EVs and their cargo might be leveraged as biomarkers of the early events leading to T1D, and how EVs might be engineered as a therapeutic candidate to counter T1D outcomes. Major Conclusions: Islet ß cells have been viewed as initiators and propagators of the cellular circuit giving rise to autoimmunity in T1D. In this context, emerging literature suggests that EVs may represent a conduit for communication that holds more comprehensive messaging about the ß cells from which they arise. As the field of EV biology advances, it opens the possibility that intervening with EV formation and cargo loading could be a novel disease-modifying approach in T1D.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

The generation of 4-hydroxynonenal, an electrophilic lipid peroxidation end product, in rabbit cornea organ cultures treated with UVB light and nitrogen mustard

The cornea is highly sensitive to oxidative stress, a process that can lead to lipid peroxidation. Ultraviolet light B (UVB) and nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) are corneal toxicants known to induce oxidative stress. Using a rabbit air-lifted corneal organ culture model, the oxidative stress responses to these toxicants in the corneal epithelium was characterized. Treatment of the cornea with UVB (0.5 J/cm{sup 2}) or nitrogen mustard (100 nmol) resulted in the generation of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a reactive lipid peroxidation end product. This was associated with increased expression of the antioxidant, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In human corneal epithelial cells in culture, addition of 4-HNE or 9-nitrooleic acid, a reactive nitrolipid formed during nitrosative stress, caused a time-dependent induction of HO-1 mRNA and protein; maximal responses were evident after 10 h with 30 μM 4-HNE or 6 h with 10 μM 9-nitrooleic acid. 4-HNE and 9-nitrooleic acid were also found to activate Erk1/2, JNK and p38 MAP kinases, as well as phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3)/Akt. Inhibition of p38 blocked 4-HNE- and 9-nitrooleic acid-induced HO-1 expression. Inhibition of Erk1/2, and to a lesser extent, JNK and PI3K/Akt, suppressed only 4-HNE-induced HO-1, while inhibition of JNK and PI3K/Akt, but not Erk1/2, partly reduced 9-nitrooleic acid-induced HO-1. These data indicate that the actions of 4-HNE and 9-nitrooleic acid on corneal epithelial cells are distinct. The sensitivity of corneal epithelial cells to oxidative stress may be an important mechanism mediating tissue injury induced by UVB or nitrogen mustard. - Highlights: • UVB or nitrogen mustard causes rabbit corneal epithelial injury. • 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) was formed and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was increased. • 4-HNE induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in human corneal epithelial cells. • The induction of HO-1 by 4-HNE was through MAP kinase activation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modulation of keratinocyte expression of antioxidants by 4-hydroxynonenal, a lipid peroxidation end product

4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is a lipid peroxidation end product generated in response to oxidative stress in the skin. Keratinocytes contain an array of antioxidant enzymes which protect against oxidative stress. In these studies, we characterized 4-HNE-induced changes in antioxidant expression in mouse keratinocytes. Treatment of primary mouse keratinocytes and PAM 212 keratinocytes with 4-HNE increased mRNA expression for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), catalase, NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) A1-2, GSTA3 and GSTA4. In both cell types, HO-1 was the most sensitive, increasing 86–98 fold within 6 h. Further characterization of the effects of 4-HNE on HO-1 demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent increases in mRNA and protein expression which were maximum after 6 h with 30 μM. 4-HNE stimulated keratinocyte Erk1/2, JNK and p38 MAP kinases, as well as PI3 kinase. Inhibition of these enzymes suppressed 4-HNE-induced HO-1 mRNA and protein expression. 4-HNE also activated Nrf2 by inducing its translocation to the nucleus. 4-HNE was markedly less effective in inducing HO-1 mRNA and protein in keratinocytes from Nrf2 −/− mice, when compared to wild type mice, indicating that Nrf2 also regulates 4-HNE-induced signaling. Western blot analysis of caveolar membrane fractions isolated by sucrose density centrifugation demonstrated that 4-HNE-induced HO-1 is localized in keratinocyte caveolae. Treatment of the cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which disrupts caveolar structure, suppressed 4-HNE-induced HO-1. These findings indicate that 4-HNE modulates expression of antioxidant enzymes in keratinocytes, and that this can occur by different mechanisms. Changes in expression of keratinocyte antioxidants may be important in protecting the skin from oxidative stress. - Highlights: • Lipid peroxidation generates 4-hydroxynonenal, a reactive aldehyde. • 4-HNE induces antioxidant proteins in mouse keratinocytes. • Induction of antioxidant proteins is regulated via MAP kinases, Nrf2 and caveolae. • 4-HNE is an effective signaling molecule in keratinocytes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Autoimmune potential of perchloroethylene: Role of lipid-derived aldehydes

Tetrachloroethene (perchloroethylene, PCE), an ubiquitous environmental contaminant, has been implicated in inducing autoimmunity/autoimmune diseases (ADs), including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma in humans. However, experimental evidence suggesting the potential of PCE in mediating autoimmunity is lacking. This study was, therefore, undertaken to explore PCE's potential in inducing/exacerbating an autoimmune response. Six-week old female MRL +/+ mice, in groups of 6 each, were treated with PCE (0.5 mg/ml) via drinking water for 12, 18 and 24 weeks and markers of autoimmunity and oxidative stress were evaluated. PCE exposure led to significant increases in serum anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA and anti-scleroderma-70 (anti-Scl-70) antibodies at 18 weeks and, to a greater extent at 24 weeks, suggesting that PCE exposure exacerbated autoimmunity in our animal model. The increases in autoantibodies were associated with time-dependent increases in malondialdehyde (MDA)-protein adducts and their antibodies, as well as significantly decreased levels of antioxidants GSH and SOD. The splenocytes isolated from mice treated with PCE for 18 and 24 weeks showed greater Th17 cell proliferation and increased release of IL-17 in culture supernatants following stimulation with MDA-mouse serum albumin adducts, suggesting that MDA-modified proteins may act as an immunologic trigger by activating Th17 cells and contribute to PCE-mediated autoimmunity. Our studies thus provide an experimental evidence that PCE induces/exacerbates an autoimmune response and lipid-derived aldehydes (such as MDA) contribute to this response. - Highlights: • PCE induced/exacerbated an autoimmune response in MRL +/+ mice. • PCE led to increases in lipid-derived aldehyde (LDA)-protein adducts in MRL +/+ mice. • LDAs contribute to PCE-mediated autoimmunity via activating Th17 cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Correlation between cationic lipid-based transfection and cell division

We evaluate the temporal relation between protein expression by cationic lipid-mediated transfection and cell division using time lapse fluorescence microscopy. Detailed image analysis provides new insights on the single cell level while simultaneously achieving appropriate statistics. Earlier evidence by less direct methods such as flow cytometry indicates a primary route for transfection involving nuclear envelope breakdown, but also suggests the existence of a pathway independent of mitosis. We confirm and quantify both mechanisms. We found the timing for successful transfection to be unexpectedly flexible, contrary to assertions of a narrow time window. Specifically, cells dividing more than 24 h after exposure to the transfection medium express the probed protein at a comparable level to cells in a mitotic state during or shortly after transfection. This finding can have a profound impact on the guidance and development of non-viral gene delivery materials. - Highlights: • Cationic lipid-based transfection supports protein expression without cell division. • Protein expression is unrelated to cell cycle status at the time of transfection. • Time-lapse imaging provides direct evaluation without statistical averaging. • Lipoplex dissociation is a likely target for improvement of transfection efficiency.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Human skin barrier formation takes place via a cubic to lamellar lipid phase transition as analyzed by cryo-electron microscopy and EM-simulation

The skin's permeability barrier consists of stacked lipid sheets of splayed ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids, positioned intercellularly in the stratum corneum. We report here on the early stage of skin barrier formation taking place inside the tubuloreticular system in the secretory cells of the topmost viable epidermis and in the intercellular space between viable epidermis and stratum corneum. The barrier formation process was analysed in situ in its near-native state, using cryo-EM combined with molecular dynamics modeling and EM simulation. Stacks of lamellae appear towards the periphery of the tubuloreticular system and they are closely associated with granular regions. Only models based on a bicontinuous cubic phase organization proved compatible with the granular cryo-EM patterns. Only models based on a dehydrated lamellar phase organization agreed with the lamellar cryo-EM patterns. The data support that human skin barrier formation takes place via a cubic to lamellar lipid phase transition.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

MALDI-Mass Spectrometric Imaging Revealing Hypoxia-Driven Lipids and Proteins in a Breast Tumor Model

Hypoxic areas are a common feature of rapidly growing malignant tumors and their metastases, and are typically spatially heterogeneous. Hypoxia has a strong impact on tumor cell biology and contributes to tumor progression in multiple ways. To date, only a few molecular key players in tumor hypoxia, such as for example hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), have been discovered. The distribution of biomolecules is frequently heterogeneous in the tumor volume, and may be driven by hypoxia and HIF-1α. Understanding the spatially heterogeneous hypoxic response of tumors is critical. Mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) provides a unique way of imaging biomolecular distributions in tissue sections with high spectral and spatial resolution. In this paper, breast tumor xenografts grown from MDA-MB-231-HRE-tdTomato cells, with a red fluorescent tdTomato protein construct under the control of a hypoxia response element (HRE)-containing promoter driven by HIF-1α, were used to detect the spatial distribution of hypoxic regions. We elucidated the 3D spatial relationship between hypoxic regions and the localization of small molecules, metabolites, lipids, and proteins by using principal component analysis – linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) on 3D rendered MSI volume data from MDA-MB-231-HRE-tdTomato breast tumor xenografts. In this study we identified hypoxia-regulated proteins active in several distinct pathways such as glucose metabolism, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, protein folding, translation/ribosome, splicesome, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, hemoglobin chaperone, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, aurora B signaling/apoptotic execution phase, the RAS signaling pathway, the FAS signaling pathway/caspase cascade in apoptosis and telomere stress induced senescence. In parallel we also identified co-localization of hypoxic regions and various lipid species such as PC(16:0/18:1), PC(16:0/18:2), PC(18:0/18:1), PC(18:1/18:1), PC(18:1/18:2), PC(16:1/18:4), PC(18:0/20:3), PC(16:0/22:1), among others. Lastly, our findings shed light on the biomolecular composition of hypoxic tumor regions, which may be responsible for a given tumor’s resistance to radiation or chemotherapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Coupling of Lipid Peroxidation and Criegee Intermediate Mediated Autoxidation in the Heterogeneous Oxidation of Linoleic Acid Aerosols

Autoxidation is an established mechanism for the degradation of organic molecules, which is relevant in the atmosphere, combustion processes, the environment, and the rancidification of lipids (commonly known as lipid peroxidation). Autoxidation proceeds via radical chain reactions involving hydroxyl (•OH), peroxy (RO2•), and alkoxy radicals, which are also prominent oxidants in the atmosphere. Recent reports have provided evidence for an alternative autoxidation mechanism driven instead by Criegee intermediates (CIs), which are produced from the reaction of β-hydroxy peroxy radicals (β-OH-RO2•). This work evaluates the contributions of these two mechanisms in the •OH initiated heterogeneous oxidation of linoleic acid (LA) aerosols. Reaction kinetics and product distributions are monitored using a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer. To explain the observed kinetics, a kinetic model is developed that incorporates both the conventional peroxidation and alternative CI-mediated autoxidation mechanisms. We observe that the CI-mediated autoxidation pathways enhance the heterogeneous autoxidation rate, while the peroxidation reactions, although present, contributes less to the overall oxidation rate. α-Acyloxyalkyl hydroperoxides (AAHPs) are identified as key indicators for bimolecular reactions of CI with LA, highlighting the role of LA as a CI scavenger. Moreover, the measured functionalized LA products with hydroxyl or carbonyl group(s), serve as markers for the peroxidation reactions. In summary, this work presents a quantitative framework to understand the coupled reaction network of •OH, RO2•, β-OH-RO2• radicals, and CI in driving heterogeneous autoxidation, which is crucial for understanding degradation mechanisms of organic molecules in the environment and atmosphere.

Criegee intermediate↗
DOE OSTI2024

Antivesiculation and Complete Unbinding of Tail-Tethered Lipids

Here, we report the effect of tail-tethering on vesiculation and complete unbinding of bilayered membranes. Amphiphilic molecules of a bolalipid, resembling the tail-tethered molecular structure of archaeal lipids, with two identical zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine headgroups self-assemble into a large flat lamellar membrane, in contrast to the multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) observed in its counterpart, monopolar nontethered zwitterionic lipids. The antivesiculation is confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cyro-TEM). With the net charge of zero and higher bending rigidity of the membrane (confirmed by neutron spin echo (NSE) spectroscopy), the current membrane theory would predict that membranes should stack with each other (aka “bind”) due to dominant van der Waals attraction, while the outcome of the nonstacking (“unbinding”) membrane suggests that the theory needs to include entropic contribution for the nonvesicular structures. This report pioneers an understanding of how the tail-tethering of amphiphiles affects the structure, enabling better control over the final nanoscale morphology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

α-Synuclein Sterically Stabilizes Spherical Nanoparticle-Supported Lipid Bilayers

While it is generally accepted that neuronal protein α-synuclein binds to highly curved and highly charged lipid membranes, its biological function beyond binding remains unknown despite its fundamental link to Parkinson’s disease. Herein, we utilize spherical nanoparticle lipid bilayers (SSLBs) to recapitulate the charge and curvature limit of membrane organelles with which α-synuclein associates and probe how α-synuclein affects SSLB structure and dynamics as a proxy for interorganelle interactions. Furthermore, small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy reveal our SSLBs form aggregates that are clearly broken up by the addition of α-synuclein, a clear indication that α-synuclein confers steric stabilization to membrane surfaces.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗