Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.112, No.27, 8057-8062, 2008
Effect of cations on the structure of bilayers formed by lipopolysaccharides isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
The asymmetric outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) which contribute significantly to the bacterium's surface properties and play a crucial role in regulating membrane permeability. We report on neutron diffraction studies performed on aligned, self-assembled bilayers of Na-, Ca-, and Mg-salt forms of LPS isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. From the one-dimensional neutron scattering length density profiles we find that water penetrates Ca2+-LPS bilayers to a lesser extent than either Na+-or Mg2+-LPS bilayers. This differential water penetration could have implications as to how small molecules permeate the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and, possibly, how nonlamellar phases are formed.