Unique Distribution and Effect of Ergosterol in Lipid Membranes
July 18, 2024
Schematic distribution of ergosterol (green) in a POPC membrane (left), dynamics of the lateral lipid diffusivity. POPC and POPC/cholesterol membranes show continuous Fickian diffusion, while POPC/ergosterol membranes show jump diffusion
Scientific Achievement
Revealing differences in fundamental structural and dynamical effect of ergosterol on a major eukaryotic model membrane (POPC) from those of cholesterol.
Significance and Impact
Potential relevance for anti-fungi medication.
Research Details
- Combined neutron membrane diffraction (NMD), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), neutron spin echo (NSE)and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) study
- Shallower embedding of ergosterol; no membrane thickening induced; moderately increased rigidity which is reversed at high concentration; different diffusion model
“Nonstereotypical Distribution and Effect of Ergosterol in Lipid Membranes,” J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 15, XXX, 4745–4752 (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00385
