Structure of Symmetric and Asymmetric “Ripple” Phases in Lipid Bilayers

Olaf Lenz and Friederike Schmid
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 058104 – Published 30 January 2007

Abstract

We reproduce the symmetric and asymmetric “rippled” Pβ states of lipid membranes by Monte Carlo simulations of a coarse-grained molecular model for lipid-solvent mixtures. The structure and properties compare favorably with experiments. The asymmetric ripple state is characterized by a periodic array of fully interdigitated “defect” lines. The symmetric ripple state maintains a bilayer structure, but is otherwise structurally similar. The main force driving the formation of both ripple states is the propensity of lipid molecules with large head groups to exhibit splay.

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  • Received 3 August 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.058104

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Olaf Lenz and Friederike Schmid

  • Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 98, Iss. 5 — 2 February 2007

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