Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol.100, No.38, 15614-15619, 1996
Role of the Bilayer-Bilayer Interaction on the Ripple Structure of Supported Bilayers in Solution
We have developed a method to prepare supported double bilayers made of phospholipids to facilitate in-solution studies of the bilayer-bilayer interaction of biologically relevant model membranes. It is found that a ripple structure, with an average wavelength of 27 nm, appears at room temperature in the double-bilayer region only, Some large ripples, of an average wavelength of 53 nm, are also observed on the double-bilayer region and are extremely soft and flexible. These experimental observations demonstrate that the bilayer-bilayer interaction may play a role to induce the formation of the ripple structure in our system. We also found that the formation of the ripple structure takes a few minutes or less while cooling to room temperature,and the relaxation of the ripple structure takes over 10 h at room temperature or 4 degrees C.
Keywords:ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY;HYDRATED PHOSPHOLIPID-BILAYERS;LANGMUIR-BLODGETT-FILMS;LIPID BILAYERS;GEL PHASE;DIPALMITOYLPHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE;CHOLESTEROL;P-BETA’;PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE;TEMPERATURE