Membrane-ion interactions modify the lipid flip-flop dynamics of biological membranes: a molecular dynamics study
File(s)
Supporting information
Accepted version
Author(s)
Gonzalez, Miguel A
Bresme, Fernando
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The asymmetric distribution of lipids in the cell membrane is maintained by protein transporters, and in the absence of proteins, by spontaneous flip-flop of lipids that involve the formation of transient pores in the membrane. The composition of the cell membranes influences the metabolism of the cell by modulating the function of transmembrane proteins, and flip-flop processes are therefore of key importance. Membranes are in direct contact with aqueous solutions, containing ions of different compositions that interact with the lipid head groups or cross the cell membrane through transmembrane channels. The impact of the ions on the lipid flip-flop rates is, however, an outstanding question. Here, we show that the flip-flop rate slows down significantly with the increasing valence of the cation, from minutes for monovalent cations (Na+, K+) to hours for divalent (Mg2+, Ca2+) or days for trivalent cations (Yb3+).
Date Issued
2020-06-25
Date Acceptance
2020-05-29
Citation
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Biophysical Chemistry, Biomaterials, Liquids, and Soft Matter, 2020, 124 (25), pp.5156-5162
ISSN
1520-5207
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
5156
End Page
5162
Journal / Book Title
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B: Biophysical Chemistry, Biomaterials, Liquids, and Soft Matter
Volume
124
Issue
25
Copyright Statement
© 2020 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Journal of Physical Chemistry B, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c04059
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32520561
Grant Number
EP/J003859/1
Subjects
02 Physical Sciences
03 Chemical Sciences
09 Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2020-06-10