Biophysical Journal 71: 554-560 (1996)
© 1996 the Biophysical Society

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pedersen, S Articles by Mouritsen, O G Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pedersen, S Articles by Mouritsen, O G

Indirect evidence for lipid-domain formation in the transition region of phospholipid bilayers by two-probe fluorescence energy transfer.

Department of Physical Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark.

ABSTRACT

The fluorescence energy transfer between two lipid probes, N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-1, 2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (donor) and N-(Lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl)-1, 2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (acceptor), incorporated into 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine unilamellar and multilamellar lipid bilayers, is studied in the temperature region of the main phase transition. The two probes display different relative solubilities in the gel and fluid lipid-bilayer phases. A distinct maximum in the fluorescence intensity of the donor is observed in the transition region, indicating that the two probes are demixing and hence increasing their average separation. The observation is interpreted in terms of dynamic segregation of the two probes into coexisting gel and fluid lipid domains that are formed dynamically in the transition region due to strong density fluctuations. The interpretation of the experimental observations is supported by a detailed theoretical calculation using computer simulation of a microscopic model that takes full account of diffusion of the two probes and the fluctuations of gel and fluid lipid domains characteristic of the main phase transition.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. R. Silvius Fluorescence Energy Transfer Reveals Microdomain Formation at Physiological Temperatures in Lipid Mixtures Modeling the Outer Leaflet of the Plasma Membrane Biophys. J., August 1, 2003; 85(2): 1034 - 1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. I. Michonova-Alexova and I. P. Sugar Component and State Separation in DMPC/DSPC Lipid Bilayers: A Monte Carlo Simulation Study Biophys. J., October 1, 2002; 83(4): 1820 - 1833. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. M. Wojtowicz, M. Farzan, J. L. Joyal, K. Carter, G. J. Babcock, D. I. Israel, J. Sodroski, and T. Mirzabekov Stimulation of Enveloped Virus Infection by beta -Amyloid Fibrils J. Biol. Chem., September 13, 2002; 277(38): 35019 - 35024. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S Ladha, P. James, D. Clark, E. Howes, and R Jones Lateral mobility of plasma membrane lipids in bull spermatozoa: heterogeneity between surface domains and rigidification following cell death J. Cell Sci., January 5, 1997; 110(9): 1041 - 1050. [Abstract] [PDF]