pH-Dependent physicochemical properties of ornithine lipid in mono- and bilayers

• DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01045c
• Publication Date: 2022-09-08T12:01:23Z
• Authors: Tetiana Mukhina; Georg Pabst; Jean-Marie Ruyssc...; Gerald Brezesinski; Emanuel Schneck
• Keywords: Phosphatidylethanolamine

In certain bacteria, phosphatidylethanolamine lipids (PEL) get largely replaced by phosphate-free ornithine (OL) under conditions of phosphate starvation. It has so far been unknown how much these two lipid types deviate in their physicochemical properties, and strongly bacteria thus have to adapt order compensate for the difference. Here, we use differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray scattering, fluorescence investigate properties OL with saturated C14 alkyl chains mono- bilayers. is found a greater tendency than chain-analogous PEL form ordered structures and, contrast PEL, even molecular superlattice based on hydrogen bonding network between headgroups. This virtually electrically uncharged persists over wide pH range. Our results indicate that behave very differently single-component membranes but may more similarly fluid multicomponent membranes.