A lateral electric field inhibits gel-to-fluid transition in lipid bilayers

Thomas, Nidhin; Agrawal, Ashutosh

doi:10.1039/d2sm00740a

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 59 publications

(90 reference statements)

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“…Indeed, phospholipid bilayers are capable of supporting such flexoelectric and piezoelectric effects, which are stimulated by mechanical (compression and shearing), electric, optical, and magnetic stimuli, inducing the squeezing, stretching, and tilting of lipid molecules [71][72][73][74][75]. In this regard, the knowledge about intrinsically collective lipid motions may help us to better understand the flexoelectric and piezoelectric properties of lipid bilayers in the presence of external stimuli [76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real Space and Time Imaging of Collective Headgroup Dipole Motions in Zwitterionic Lipid Bilayers

et al. 2023

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Lipid bilayers are supramolecular structures responsible for a range of processes, such as transmembrane transport of ions and solutes, and sorting and replication of genetic materials, to name just a few. Some of these processes are transient and currently, cannot be visualized in real space and time. Here, we developed an approach using 1D, 2D, and 3D Van Hove correlation functions to image collective headgroup dipole motions in zwitterionic phospholipid bilayers. We show that both 2D and 3D spatiotemporal images of headgroup dipoles are consistent with commonly understood dynamic features of fluids. However, analysis of the 1D Van Hove function reveals lateral transient and re-emergent collective dynamics of the headgroup dipoles—occurring at picosecond time scales—that transmit and dissipate heat at longer times, due to relaxation processes. At the same time, the headgroup dipoles also generate membrane surface undulations due a collective tilting of the headgroup dipoles. A continuous intensity band of headgroup dipole spatiotemporal correlations—at nanometer length and nanosecond time scales—indicates that dipoles undergo stretching and squeezing elastic deformations. Importantly, the above mentioned intrinsic headgroup dipole motions can be externally stimulated at GHz-frequency scale, enhancing their flexoelectric and piezoelectric capabilities (i.e., increased conversion efficiency of mechanical energy into electric energy). In conclusion, we discuss how lipid membranes can provide molecular-level insights about biological learning and memory, and as platforms for the development of the next generation of neuromorphic computers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Real Space and Time Imaging of Collective Headgroup Dipole Motions in Zwitterionic Lipid Bilayers

et al. 2023

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The excitable fluid mosaic

Heimburg¹

2023

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes

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Effects of Normal and Lateral Electric Fields on Membrane Mechanical Properties

Pogharian,

Vlahovska,

Olvera de la Cruz

2024

J. Phys. Chem. B

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As a core component of biological and synthetic membranes, lipid bilayers are key to compartmentalizing chemical processes. Bilayer morphology and mechanical properties are heavily influenced by electric fields, such as those caused by biological ion concentration gradients. We present atomistic simulations exploring the effects of electric fields applied normally and laterally to lipid bilayers. We find that normal fields decrease membrane tension, while lateral fields increase it. Free energy perturbation calculations indicate the importance of dipole−dipole interactions to these tension changes, especially for lateral fields. We additionally show that membrane area compressibilities can be related to their cohesive energies, allowing us to estimate changes in membrane bending rigidity under applied fields. We find that normal and lateral fields decrease and increase bending rigidity, respectively. These results point to the use of directed electric fields to locally control membrane stiffness, thereby modulating associated cellular processes.

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A lateral electric field inhibits gel-to-fluid transition in lipid bilayers

Abstract: We report evidence of lateral electric field-induced changes in the phase transition temperatures of lipid bilayers. Our atomic scale molecular dynamics simulations show that lateral electric field increases the melting...

Cited by 4 publications

References 59 publications

Real Space and Time Imaging of Collective Headgroup Dipole Motions in Zwitterionic Lipid Bilayers

Real Space and Time Imaging of Collective Headgroup Dipole Motions in Zwitterionic Lipid Bilayers

The excitable fluid mosaic

Effects of Normal and Lateral Electric Fields on Membrane Mechanical Properties

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