Nonstereotypical Distribution and Effect of Ergosterol in Lipid Membranes

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00385
• Publication Date: 2024-04-25T13:03:45Z
• Authors: Shuo Qian; Gergely Nagy; Piotr Zolnierczuk; Eugene Mamontov; Robert Standaert
• Keywords: Ergosterol

Ergosterol, found in fungi and some protist membranes, is understudied compared with cholesterol from animal membranes. Generally, ergosterol assumed to modulate membranes the same manner as cholesterol, based on their similar chemical structures. Here we reveal fundamental structural dynamical differences between them. Neutron diffraction shows that embedded lipid bilayer much shallower than cholesterol. Ergosterol does not change membrane thickness does, indicating little condensation effect. spin echo can rigidify soften at different concentrations. The lateral diffusion measured by quasielastic neutron scattering indicates promotes a jump of lipid, whereas keeps continuous pure membrane. Our results point quite distinct interactions These insights provide basic understanding containing implications for phenomena such rafts drug interactions.