Various metal cations in physiological solutions interact with lipid headgroups in biological membranes, having an impact on their structure and stability, yet little is known about the molecular-scale dynamics of the lipid-ion interactions. Here we directly investigate the extensive lipid-ion interaction networks and their transient formation between headgroups in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer under physiological conditions. The spatial distribution of ion occupancy is imaged in real space by frequency modulation atomic force microscopy with sub-Angstrom resolution.
History
Citation
Fukuma, T., Higgins, M. J. & Jarvis, S. P. (2007). Direct Imaging Of Lipid-Ion Network Formation Under Physiological Conditions By Frequency Modulation Atomic Force Microscopy. Physical Review Letters, 98 (10), 106101-1-106101-4.