Adding glycolipid functionality to model membranes – phase behaviour of a synthetic glycolipid in a phospholipid membrane

Abstract

Glycolipid phase behaviour is less well understood than for many phospholipids, but due to their structural and functional diversity, glycolipids represent an important group of amphiphiles from which biological function is derived. Here we have incorporated a synthetic glycolipid in binary mixtures with DOPC (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) into giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) at biologically relevant concentrations and observed the phase behaviour of the lipid mixtures for a range of glycolipid concentrations. At low concentrations, the glycolipid is fully dispersed in the GUV membrane. At glycolipid molar concentrations above 10%, the formation of lipid tubules is observed, and is consistent with the formation of a columnar lipid phase. Lipid tubules are observed in aqueous and oil solvents, suggesting that both hexagonal and inverted hexagonal lipid arrangements can be formed. This work may offer insights into the biological function of glycolipids and the challenges in formulating them for use in industrial applications.

Glycan-decorated protocells: novel features for rebuilding cellular processes

“…The fabrication of GUVs with an asymmetric lipid bilayer (containing different lipid species in the inner and the outer membrane leaflets) [34,35] or the encapsulation of cytoskeletal proteins [36,37] are other cases of increased complexity. Incorporation of natural or synthetic glycolipids [38,39] to GUVs can be achieved with all common GUV preparation techniques by usually mixing the glycolipid with other lipid species. At low concentrations of glycolipids, they are normally fully dispersed in the GUV membrane.…”

Self-assembly of isomannide-based monoesters of C18-fatty acids and their cellular uptake studies

“…11 However, it must be noted that the self-assembling characteristics of glycolipids are much less understood as compared to those of phospholipids. 12 Isomannide is a double dehydrated product of mannitol, which itself is obtained as a by-product in starch industry. Isomannides are being used extensively in areas like polymer synthesis, preparation of chiral ionic liquids etc.…”