Molecular Basis for Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) Action on Lipid Membranes

• DOI: 10.1021/ja063363t
• Publication Date: 2006-10-06T10:36:52Z
• Authors: Rebecca Notman; Massimo Noro; Brendan O'Malley; Jamshed Anwar
• Keywords: Cryoprotectant; Membrane permeability; Cell membrane; Penetration (warfare)

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is an aprotic solvent that has the ability to induce cell fusion and differentiation enhance permeability of lipid membranes. It also effective cryoprotectant. Insights into how this molecule modulates membrane structure function would be invaluable toward regulating above processes for developing chemical means enhancing or hindering absorption biologically active molecules, in particular via skin. We show here by molecular simulations DMSO can water pores dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine bilayers propose a possible pathway enhancement penetration actives through causes become floppier, which permeability, facilitate fusion, enable accommodate osmotic mechanical stresses during cryopreservation.