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Lateral pressure profiles in cholesterol–DPPC bilayers

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Abstract

By means of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we study cholesterol–DPPC (dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine) bilayers of different composition, from pure DPPC bilayers to a 1:1 mixture of DPPC and cholesterol. The lateral pressure profiles through the bilayers are computed and separated into contributions from the different components. We find that the pressure inside the bilayer changes qualitatively for cholesterol concentrations of about 20% or higher. The pressure profile in the inside of the bilayer then turns from a rather flat shape into an alternating sequence of regions with large positive and negative lateral pressure. The changes in the lateral pressure profile are so characteristic that specific interaction between cholesterol and molecules such as membrane proteins mediated solely via the lateral pressure profile might become possible.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge valuable discussions with Mikko Karttunen and the support from the European Union (MRTN-CT-2004-512331).

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  1. Biophysics and Statistical Mechanics Group, Laboratory of Computational Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology, P. O. Box 9203, 02015, HUT, Finland

    Michael Patra

  2. Physical Chemistry 1, Centre for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, P. O. Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden

    Michael Patra

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Correspondence to Michael Patra.

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Patra, M. Lateral pressure profiles in cholesterol–DPPC bilayers. Eur Biophys J 35, 79–88 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-005-0011-0

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