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\bibliographystyle{achemso} |
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\title{Dipolar Ordering in Molecular-scale Models of the Ripple Phase |
28 |
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in Lipid Membranes} |
27 |
> |
\title{Dipolar ordering in the ripple phases of molecular-scale models |
28 |
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of lipid membranes} |
29 |
|
\author{Xiuquan Sun and J. Daniel Gezelter \\ |
30 |
|
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,\\ |
31 |
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University of Notre Dame, \\ |
38 |
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\maketitle |
39 |
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|
40 |
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\begin{abstract} |
41 |
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The ripple phase in phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayers has never been |
42 |
< |
completely explained. |
41 |
> |
Symmetric and asymmetric ripple phases have been observed to form in |
42 |
> |
molecular dynamics simulations of a simple molecular-scale lipid |
43 |
> |
model. The lipid model consists of an dipolar head group and an |
44 |
> |
ellipsoidal tail. Within the limits of this model, an explanation for |
45 |
> |
generalized membrane curvature is a simple mismatch in the size of the |
46 |
> |
heads with the width of the molecular bodies. The persistence of a |
47 |
> |
{\it bilayer} structure requires strong attractive forces between the |
48 |
> |
head groups. One feature of this model is that an energetically |
49 |
> |
favorable orientational ordering of the dipoles can be achieved by |
50 |
> |
out-of-plane membrane corrugation. The corrugation of the surface |
51 |
> |
stabilizes the long range orientational ordering for the dipoles in the |
52 |
> |
head groups which then adopt a bulk anti-ferroelectric state. We |
53 |
> |
observe a common feature of the corrugated dipolar membranes: the wave |
54 |
> |
vectors for the surface ripples are always found to be perpendicular |
55 |
> |
to the dipole director axis. |
56 |
|
\end{abstract} |
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|
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%\maketitle |
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\newpage |
60 |
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|
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\section{Introduction} |
62 |
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\label{sec:Int} |
75 |
|
experimental results provide strong support for a 2-dimensional |
76 |
|
hexagonal packing lattice of the lipid molecules within the ripple |
77 |
|
phase. This is a notable change from the observed lipid packing |
78 |
< |
within the gel phase.~\cite{Cevc87} |
78 |
> |
within the gel phase,~\cite{Cevc87} although Tenchov {\it et al.} have |
79 |
> |
recently observed near-hexagonal packing in some phosphatidylcholine |
80 |
> |
(PC) gel phases.\cite{Tenchov2003} The X-ray diffraction work by |
81 |
> |
Katsaras {\it et al.} showed that a rich phase diagram exhibiting both |
82 |
> |
{\it asymmetric} and {\it symmetric} ripples is possible for lecithin |
83 |
> |
bilayers.\cite{Katsaras00} |
84 |
|
|
85 |
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A number of theoretical models have been presented to explain the |
86 |
|
formation of the ripple phase. Marder {\it et al.} used a |
87 |
< |
curvature-dependent Landau-de Gennes free-energy functional to predict |
88 |
< |
a rippled phase.~\cite{Marder84} This model and other related continuum |
89 |
< |
models predict higher fluidity in convex regions and that concave |
90 |
< |
portions of the membrane correspond to more solid-like regions. |
91 |
< |
Carlson and Sethna used a packing-competition model (in which head |
92 |
< |
groups and chains have competing packing energetics) to predict the |
93 |
< |
formation of a ripple-like phase. Their model predicted that the |
94 |
< |
high-curvature portions have lower-chain packing and correspond to |
95 |
< |
more fluid-like regions. Goldstein and Leibler used a mean-field |
96 |
< |
approach with a planar model for {\em inter-lamellar} interactions to |
97 |
< |
predict rippling in multilamellar phases.~\cite{Goldstein88} McCullough |
98 |
< |
and Scott proposed that the {\em anisotropy of the nearest-neighbor |
99 |
< |
interactions} coupled to hydrophobic constraining forces which |
100 |
< |
restrict height differences between nearest neighbors is the origin of |
101 |
< |
the ripple phase.~\cite{McCullough90} Lubensky and MacKintosh |
102 |
< |
introduced a Landau theory for tilt order and curvature of a single |
103 |
< |
membrane and concluded that {\em coupling of molecular tilt to membrane |
104 |
< |
curvature} is responsible for the production of |
105 |
< |
ripples.~\cite{Lubensky93} Misbah, Duplat and Houchmandzadeh proposed |
106 |
< |
that {\em inter-layer dipolar interactions} can lead to ripple |
107 |
< |
instabilities.~\cite{Misbah98} Heimburg presented a {\em coexistence |
108 |
< |
model} for ripple formation in which he postulates that fluid-phase |
109 |
< |
line defects cause sharp curvature between relatively flat gel-phase |
110 |
< |
regions.~\cite{Heimburg00} Kubica has suggested that a lattice model of |
111 |
< |
polar head groups could be valuable in trying to understand bilayer |
112 |
< |
phase formation.~\cite{Kubica02} Bannerjee used Monte Carlo simulations |
113 |
< |
of lamellar stacks of hexagonal lattices to show that large headgroups |
114 |
< |
and molecular tilt with respect to the membrane normal vector can |
115 |
< |
cause bulk rippling.~\cite{Bannerjee02} |
87 |
> |
curvature-dependent Landau-de~Gennes free-energy functional to predict |
88 |
> |
a rippled phase.~\cite{Marder84} This model and other related |
89 |
> |
continuum models predict higher fluidity in convex regions and that |
90 |
> |
concave portions of the membrane correspond to more solid-like |
91 |
> |
regions. Carlson and Sethna used a packing-competition model (in |
92 |
> |
which head groups and chains have competing packing energetics) to |
93 |
> |
predict the formation of a ripple-like phase. Their model predicted |
94 |
> |
that the high-curvature portions have lower-chain packing and |
95 |
> |
correspond to more fluid-like regions. Goldstein and Leibler used a |
96 |
> |
mean-field approach with a planar model for {\em inter-lamellar} |
97 |
> |
interactions to predict rippling in multilamellar |
98 |
> |
phases.~\cite{Goldstein88} McCullough and Scott proposed that the {\em |
99 |
> |
anisotropy of the nearest-neighbor interactions} coupled to |
100 |
> |
hydrophobic constraining forces which restrict height differences |
101 |
> |
between nearest neighbors is the origin of the ripple |
102 |
> |
phase.~\cite{McCullough90} Lubensky and MacKintosh introduced a Landau |
103 |
> |
theory for tilt order and curvature of a single membrane and concluded |
104 |
> |
that {\em coupling of molecular tilt to membrane curvature} is |
105 |
> |
responsible for the production of ripples.~\cite{Lubensky93} Misbah, |
106 |
> |
Duplat and Houchmandzadeh proposed that {\em inter-layer dipolar |
107 |
> |
interactions} can lead to ripple instabilities.~\cite{Misbah98} |
108 |
> |
Heimburg presented a {\em coexistence model} for ripple formation in |
109 |
> |
which he postulates that fluid-phase line defects cause sharp |
110 |
> |
curvature between relatively flat gel-phase regions.~\cite{Heimburg00} |
111 |
> |
Kubica has suggested that a lattice model of polar head groups could |
112 |
> |
be valuable in trying to understand bilayer phase |
113 |
> |
formation.~\cite{Kubica02} Bannerjee used Monte Carlo simulations of |
114 |
> |
lamellar stacks of hexagonal lattices to show that large head groups |
115 |
> |
and molecular tilt with respect to the membrane normal vector can |
116 |
> |
cause bulk rippling.~\cite{Bannerjee02} Recently, Kranenburg and Smit |
117 |
> |
described the formation of symmetric ripple-like structures using a |
118 |
> |
coarse grained solvent-head-tail bead model.\cite{Kranenburg2005} |
119 |
> |
Their lipids consisted of a short chain of head beads tied to the two |
120 |
> |
longer ``chains''. |
121 |
|
|
122 |
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In contrast, few large-scale molecular modelling studies have been |
122 |
> |
In contrast, few large-scale molecular modeling studies have been |
123 |
|
done due to the large size of the resulting structures and the time |
124 |
|
required for the phases of interest to develop. With all-atom (and |
125 |
|
even unified-atom) simulations, only one period of the ripple can be |
126 |
< |
observed and only for timescales in the range of 10-100 ns. One of |
127 |
< |
the most interesting molecular simulations was carried out by De Vries |
126 |
> |
observed and only for time scales in the range of 10-100 ns. One of |
127 |
> |
the most interesting molecular simulations was carried out by de~Vries |
128 |
|
{\it et al.}~\cite{deVries05}. According to their simulation results, |
129 |
|
the ripple consists of two domains, one resembling the gel bilayer, |
130 |
|
while in the other, the two leaves of the bilayer are fully |
146 |
|
|
147 |
|
Although the organization of the tails of lipid molecules are |
148 |
|
addressed by these molecular simulations and the packing competition |
149 |
< |
between headgroups and tails is strongly implicated as the primary |
149 |
> |
between head groups and tails is strongly implicated as the primary |
150 |
|
driving force for ripple formation, questions about the ordering of |
151 |
< |
the head groups in ripple phase has not been settled. |
151 |
> |
the head groups in ripple phase have not been settled. |
152 |
|
|
153 |
|
In a recent paper, we presented a simple ``web of dipoles'' spin |
154 |
|
lattice model which provides some physical insight into relationship |
155 |
|
between dipolar ordering and membrane buckling.\cite{Sun2007} We found |
156 |
|
that dipolar elastic membranes can spontaneously buckle, forming |
157 |
< |
ripple-like topologies. The driving force for the buckling in dipolar |
158 |
< |
elastic membranes the antiferroelectric ordering of the dipoles, and |
159 |
< |
this was evident in the ordering of the dipole director axis |
160 |
< |
perpendicular to the wave vector of the surface ripples. A similiar |
157 |
> |
ripple-like topologies. The driving force for the buckling of dipolar |
158 |
> |
elastic membranes is the anti-ferroelectric ordering of the dipoles. |
159 |
> |
This was evident in the ordering of the dipole director axis |
160 |
> |
perpendicular to the wave vector of the surface ripples. A similar |
161 |
|
phenomenon has also been observed by Tsonchev {\it et al.} in their |
162 |
|
work on the spontaneous formation of dipolar peptide chains into |
163 |
|
curved nano-structures.\cite{Tsonchev04,Tsonchev04II} |
191 |
|
non-polar tails. Another fact is that the majority of lipid molecules |
192 |
|
in the ripple phase are relatively rigid (i.e. gel-like) which makes |
193 |
|
some fraction of the details of the chain dynamics negligible. Figure |
194 |
< |
\ref{fig:lipidModels} shows the molecular strucure of a DPPC |
194 |
> |
\ref{fig:lipidModels} shows the molecular structure of a DPPC |
195 |
|
molecule, as well as atomistic and molecular-scale representations of |
196 |
|
a DPPC molecule. The hydrophilic character of the head group is |
197 |
|
largely due to the separation of charge between the nitrogen and |
210 |
|
The ellipsoidal portions of the model interact via the Gay-Berne |
211 |
|
potential which has seen widespread use in the liquid crystal |
212 |
|
community. Ayton and Voth have also used Gay-Berne ellipsoids for |
213 |
< |
modelling large length-scale properties of lipid |
213 |
> |
modeling large length-scale properties of lipid |
214 |
|
bilayers.\cite{Ayton01} In its original form, the Gay-Berne potential |
215 |
|
was a single site model for the interactions of rigid ellipsoidal |
216 |
|
molecules.\cite{Gay81} It can be thought of as a modification of the |
260 |
|
|
261 |
|
Gay-Berne ellipsoids also have an energy scaling parameter, |
262 |
|
$\epsilon^s$, which describes the well depth for two identical |
263 |
< |
ellipsoids in a {\it side-by-side} configuration. Additionaly, a well |
263 |
> |
ellipsoids in a {\it side-by-side} configuration. Additionally, a well |
264 |
|
depth aspect ratio, $\epsilon^r = \epsilon^e / \epsilon^s$, describes |
265 |
|
the ratio between the well depths in the {\it end-to-end} and |
266 |
|
side-by-side configurations. As in the range parameter, a set of |
327 |
|
\end{figure} |
328 |
|
|
329 |
|
To take into account the permanent dipolar interactions of the |
330 |
< |
zwitterionic head groups, we place fixed dipole moments $\mu_{i}$ at |
330 |
> |
zwitterionic head groups, we have placed fixed dipole moments $\mu_{i}$ at |
331 |
|
one end of the Gay-Berne particles. The dipoles are oriented at an |
332 |
|
angle $\theta = \pi / 2$ relative to the major axis. These dipoles |
333 |
< |
are protected by a head ``bead'' with a range parameter which we have |
333 |
> |
are protected by a head ``bead'' with a range parameter ($\sigma_h$) which we have |
334 |
|
varied between $1.20 d$ and $1.41 d$. The head groups interact with |
335 |
|
each other using a combination of Lennard-Jones, |
336 |
|
\begin{equation} |
349 |
|
along dipole $i$ and $\mathbf{\hat r}_{ij}$ is the unit vector |
350 |
|
pointing along the inter-dipole vector $\mathbf{r}_{ij}$. |
351 |
|
|
352 |
+ |
Since the charge separation distance is so large in zwitterionic head |
353 |
+ |
groups (like the PC head groups), it would also be possible to use |
354 |
+ |
either point charges or a ``split dipole'' approximation, |
355 |
+ |
\begin{equation} |
356 |
+ |
V_{ij}({\bf \hat{u}}_{i},{\bf \hat{u}}_{j},{\bf |
357 |
+ |
\hat{r}}_{ij})) = \frac{1}{{4\pi \epsilon_0 }}\left[ {\frac{{\mu _i \cdot \mu _j }}{{R_{ij}^3 }} - |
358 |
+ |
\frac{{3\left( {\mu _i \cdot r_{ij} } \right)\left( {\mu _i \cdot |
359 |
+ |
r_{ij} } \right)}}{{R_{ij}^5 }}} \right] |
360 |
+ |
\end{equation} |
361 |
+ |
where $\mu _i$ and $\mu _j$ are the dipole moments of sites $i$ and |
362 |
+ |
$j$, $r_{ij}$ is vector between the two sites, and $R_{ij}$ is given |
363 |
+ |
by, |
364 |
+ |
\begin{equation} |
365 |
+ |
R_{ij} = \sqrt {r_{ij}^2 + \frac{{d_i^2 }}{4} + \frac{{d_j^2 |
366 |
+ |
}}{4}}. |
367 |
+ |
\end{equation} |
368 |
+ |
Here, $d_i$ and $d_j$ are effect charge separation distances |
369 |
+ |
associated with each of the two dipolar sites. This approximation to |
370 |
+ |
the multipole expansion maintains the fast fall-off of the multipole |
371 |
+ |
potentials but lacks the normal divergences when two polar groups get |
372 |
+ |
close to one another. |
373 |
+ |
|
374 |
|
For the interaction between nonequivalent uniaxial ellipsoids (in this |
375 |
|
case, between spheres and ellipsoids), the spheres are treated as |
376 |
|
ellipsoids with an aspect ratio of 1 ($d = l$) and with an well depth |
379 |
|
et al.} and is appropriate for dissimilar uniaxial |
380 |
|
ellipsoids.\cite{Cleaver96} |
381 |
|
|
382 |
< |
The solvent model in our simulations is identical to one used by |
383 |
< |
Marrink {\it et al.} in their dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) |
384 |
< |
simulation of lipid bilayers.\cite{Marrink04} This solvent bead is a single |
385 |
< |
site that represents four water molecules (m = 72 amu) and has |
386 |
< |
comparable density and diffusive behavior to liquid water. However, |
387 |
< |
since there are no electrostatic sites on these beads, this solvent |
388 |
< |
model cannot replicate the dielectric properties of water. |
382 |
> |
The solvent model in our simulations is similar to the one used by |
383 |
> |
Marrink {\it et al.} in their coarse grained simulations of lipid |
384 |
> |
bilayers.\cite{Marrink04} The solvent bead is a single site that |
385 |
> |
represents four water molecules (m = 72 amu) and has comparable |
386 |
> |
density and diffusive behavior to liquid water. However, since there |
387 |
> |
are no electrostatic sites on these beads, this solvent model cannot |
388 |
> |
replicate the dielectric properties of water. Note that although we |
389 |
> |
are using larger cutoff and switching radii than Marrink {\it et al.}, |
390 |
> |
our solvent density at 300 K remains at 0.944 g cm$^{-3}$, and the |
391 |
> |
solvent diffuses at 0.43 $\AA^2 ps^{-1}$ (roughly twice as fast as |
392 |
> |
liquid water). |
393 |
> |
|
394 |
|
\begin{table*} |
395 |
|
\begin{minipage}{\linewidth} |
396 |
|
\begin{center} |
416 |
|
\end{minipage} |
417 |
|
\end{table*} |
418 |
|
|
419 |
< |
A switching function has been applied to all potentials to smoothly |
420 |
< |
turn off the interactions between a range of $22$ and $25$ \AA. |
419 |
> |
\section{Experimental Methodology} |
420 |
> |
\label{sec:experiment} |
421 |
|
|
422 |
|
The parameters that were systematically varied in this study were the |
423 |
|
size of the head group ($\sigma_h$), the strength of the dipole moment |
424 |
|
($\mu$), and the temperature of the system. Values for $\sigma_h$ |
425 |
< |
ranged from 5.5 \AA\ to 6.5 \AA\ . If the width of the tails is |
426 |
< |
taken to be the unit of length, these head groups correspond to a |
427 |
< |
range from $1.2 d$ to $1.41 d$. Since the solvent beads are nearly |
428 |
< |
identical in diameter to the tail ellipsoids, all distances that |
429 |
< |
follow will be measured relative to this unit of distance. |
425 |
> |
ranged from 5.5 \AA\ to 6.5 \AA\ . If the width of the tails is taken |
426 |
> |
to be the unit of length, these head groups correspond to a range from |
427 |
> |
$1.2 d$ to $1.41 d$. Since the solvent beads are nearly identical in |
428 |
> |
diameter to the tail ellipsoids, all distances that follow will be |
429 |
> |
measured relative to this unit of distance. Because the solvent we |
430 |
> |
are using is non-polar and has a dielectric constant of 1, values for |
431 |
> |
$\mu$ are sampled from a range that is somewhat smaller than the 20.6 |
432 |
> |
Debye dipole moment of the PC head groups. |
433 |
|
|
380 |
– |
\section{Experimental Methodology} |
381 |
– |
\label{sec:experiment} |
382 |
– |
|
434 |
|
To create unbiased bilayers, all simulations were started from two |
435 |
|
perfectly flat monolayers separated by a 26 \AA\ gap between the |
436 |
|
molecular bodies of the upper and lower leaves. The separated |
437 |
< |
monolayers were evolved in a vaccum with $x-y$ anisotropic pressure |
437 |
> |
monolayers were evolved in a vacuum with $x-y$ anisotropic pressure |
438 |
|
coupling. The length of $z$ axis of the simulations was fixed and a |
439 |
|
constant surface tension was applied to enable real fluctuations of |
440 |
|
the bilayer. Periodic boundary conditions were used, and $480-720$ |
441 |
|
lipid molecules were present in the simulations, depending on the size |
442 |
|
of the head beads. In all cases, the two monolayers spontaneously |
443 |
|
collapsed into bilayer structures within 100 ps. Following this |
444 |
< |
collapse, all systems were equlibrated for $100$ ns at $300$ K. |
444 |
> |
collapse, all systems were equilibrated for $100$ ns at $300$ K. |
445 |
|
|
446 |
|
The resulting bilayer structures were then solvated at a ratio of $6$ |
447 |
|
solvent beads (24 water molecules) per lipid. These configurations |
448 |
|
were then equilibrated for another $30$ ns. All simulations utilizing |
449 |
|
the solvent were carried out at constant pressure ($P=1$ atm) with |
450 |
< |
$3$D anisotropic coupling, and constant surface tension |
451 |
< |
($\gamma=0.015$ UNIT). Given the absence of fast degrees of freedom in |
452 |
< |
this model, a timestep of $50$ fs was utilized with excellent energy |
450 |
> |
$3$D anisotropic coupling, and small constant surface tension |
451 |
> |
($\gamma=0.015$ N/m). Given the absence of fast degrees of freedom in |
452 |
> |
this model, a time step of $50$ fs was utilized with excellent energy |
453 |
|
conservation. Data collection for structural properties of the |
454 |
|
bilayers was carried out during a final 5 ns run following the solvent |
455 |
< |
equilibration. All simulations were performed using the OOPSE |
456 |
< |
molecular modeling program.\cite{Meineke05} |
455 |
> |
equilibration. Orientational correlation functions and diffusion |
456 |
> |
constants were computed from 30 ns simulations in the microcanonical |
457 |
> |
(NVE) ensemble using the average volume from the end of the constant |
458 |
> |
pressure and surface tension runs. The timestep on these final |
459 |
> |
molecular dynamics runs was 25 fs. No appreciable changes in phase |
460 |
> |
structure were noticed upon switching to a microcanonical ensemble. |
461 |
> |
All simulations were performed using the {\sc oopse} molecular |
462 |
> |
modeling program.\cite{Meineke05} |
463 |
|
|
464 |
+ |
A switching function was applied to all potentials to smoothly turn |
465 |
+ |
off the interactions between a range of $22$ and $25$ \AA. The |
466 |
+ |
switching function was the standard (cubic) function, |
467 |
+ |
\begin{equation} |
468 |
+ |
s(r) = |
469 |
+ |
\begin{cases} |
470 |
+ |
1 & \text{if $r \le r_{\text{sw}}$},\\ |
471 |
+ |
\frac{(r_{\text{cut}} + 2r - 3r_{\text{sw}})(r_{\text{cut}} - r)^2} |
472 |
+ |
{(r_{\text{cut}} - r_{\text{sw}})^3} |
473 |
+ |
& \text{if $r_{\text{sw}} < r \le r_{\text{cut}}$}, \\ |
474 |
+ |
0 & \text{if $r > r_{\text{cut}}$.} |
475 |
+ |
\end{cases} |
476 |
+ |
\label{eq:dipoleSwitching} |
477 |
+ |
\end{equation} |
478 |
+ |
|
479 |
|
\section{Results} |
480 |
|
\label{sec:results} |
481 |
|
|
482 |
< |
Snapshots in Figure \ref{fig:phaseCartoon} show that the membrane is |
483 |
< |
more corrugated with increasing size of the head groups. The surface |
484 |
< |
is nearly flat when $\sigma_h=1.20 d$. With $\sigma_h=1.28 d$, |
485 |
< |
although the surface is still flat, the bilayer starts to splay |
486 |
< |
inward; the upper leaf of the bilayer is connected to the lower leaf |
487 |
< |
with an interdigitated line defect. Two periodicities with $100$ \AA\ |
488 |
< |
wavelengths were observed in the simulation. This structure is very |
489 |
< |
similiar to the structure observed by de Vries and Lenz {\it et |
490 |
< |
al.}. The same basic structure is also observed when $\sigma_h=1.41 |
491 |
< |
d$, but the wavelength of the surface corrugations depends sensitively |
492 |
< |
on the size of the ``head'' beads. From the undulation spectrum, the |
493 |
< |
corrugation is clearly non-thermal. |
482 |
> |
The membranes in our simulations exhibit a number of interesting |
483 |
> |
bilayer phases. The surface topology of these phases depends most |
484 |
> |
sensitively on the ratio of the size of the head groups to the width |
485 |
> |
of the molecular bodies. With heads only slightly larger than the |
486 |
> |
bodies ($\sigma_h=1.20 d$) the membrane exhibits a flat bilayer. |
487 |
> |
|
488 |
> |
Increasing the head / body size ratio increases the local membrane |
489 |
> |
curvature around each of the lipids. With $\sigma_h=1.28 d$, the |
490 |
> |
surface is still essentially flat, but the bilayer starts to exhibit |
491 |
> |
signs of instability. We have observed occasional defects where a |
492 |
> |
line of lipid molecules on one leaf of the bilayer will dip down to |
493 |
> |
interdigitate with the other leaf. This gives each of the two bilayer |
494 |
> |
leaves some local convexity near the line defect. These structures, |
495 |
> |
once developed in a simulation, are very stable and are spaced |
496 |
> |
approximately 100 \AA\ away from each other. |
497 |
> |
|
498 |
> |
With larger heads ($\sigma_h = 1.35 d$) the membrane curvature |
499 |
> |
resolves into a ``symmetric'' ripple phase. Each leaf of the bilayer |
500 |
> |
is broken into several convex, hemicylinderical sections, and opposite |
501 |
> |
leaves are fitted together much like roof tiles. There is no |
502 |
> |
interdigitation between the upper and lower leaves of the bilayer. |
503 |
> |
|
504 |
> |
For the largest head / body ratios studied ($\sigma_h = 1.41 d$) the |
505 |
> |
local curvature is substantially larger, and the resulting bilayer |
506 |
> |
structure resolves into an asymmetric ripple phase. This structure is |
507 |
> |
very similar to the structures observed by both de~Vries {\it et al.} |
508 |
> |
and Lenz {\it et al.}. For a given ripple wave vector, there are two |
509 |
> |
possible asymmetric ripples, which is not the case for the symmetric |
510 |
> |
phase observed when $\sigma_h = 1.35 d$. |
511 |
> |
|
512 |
|
\begin{figure}[htb] |
513 |
|
\centering |
514 |
|
\includegraphics[width=4in]{phaseCartoon} |
515 |
< |
\caption{A sketch to discribe the structure of the phases observed in |
516 |
< |
our simulations.\label{fig:phaseCartoon}} |
515 |
> |
\caption{The role of the ratio between the head group size and the |
516 |
> |
width of the molecular bodies is to increase the local membrane |
517 |
> |
curvature. With strong attractive interactions between the head |
518 |
> |
groups, this local curvature can be maintained in bilayer structures |
519 |
> |
through surface corrugation. Shown above are three phases observed in |
520 |
> |
these simulations. With $\sigma_h = 1.20 d$, the bilayer maintains a |
521 |
> |
flat topology. For larger heads ($\sigma_h = 1.35 d$) the local |
522 |
> |
curvature resolves into a symmetrically rippled phase with little or |
523 |
> |
no interdigitation between the upper and lower leaves of the membrane. |
524 |
> |
The largest heads studied ($\sigma_h = 1.41 d$) resolve into an |
525 |
> |
asymmetric rippled phases with interdigitation between the two |
526 |
> |
leaves.\label{fig:phaseCartoon}} |
527 |
|
\end{figure} |
528 |
|
|
529 |
< |
When $\sigma_h=1.35 d$, we observed another corrugated surface |
530 |
< |
morphology. This structure is different from the asymmetric rippled |
531 |
< |
surface; there is no interdigitation between the upper and lower |
532 |
< |
leaves of the bilayer. Each leaf of the bilayer is broken into several |
533 |
< |
hemicylinderical sections, and opposite leaves are fitted together |
534 |
< |
much like roof tiles. Unlike the surface in which the upper |
535 |
< |
hemicylinder is always interdigitated on the leading or trailing edge |
536 |
< |
of lower hemicylinder, this ``symmetric'' ripple has no prefered |
537 |
< |
direction. The corresponding structures are shown in Figure |
538 |
< |
\ref{fig:phaseCartoon} for elucidation of the detailed structures of |
539 |
< |
different phases. The top panel in figure \ref{fig:phaseCartoon} is |
540 |
< |
the flat phase, the middle panel shows the asymmetric ripple phase |
541 |
< |
corresponding to $\sigma_h = 1.41 d$ and the lower panel shows the |
542 |
< |
symmetric ripple phase observed when $\sigma_h=1.35 d$. In the |
543 |
< |
symmetric ripple, the bilayer is continuous over the whole membrane, |
544 |
< |
however, in asymmetric ripple phase, the bilayer domains are connected |
545 |
< |
by thin interdigitated monolayers that share molecules between the |
546 |
< |
upper and lower leaves. |
529 |
> |
Sample structures for the flat ($\sigma_h = 1.20 d$), symmetric |
530 |
> |
($\sigma_h = 1.35 d$, and asymmetric ($\sigma_h = 1.41 d$) ripple |
531 |
> |
phases are shown in Figure \ref{fig:phaseCartoon}. |
532 |
> |
|
533 |
> |
It is reasonable to ask how well the parameters we used can produce |
534 |
> |
bilayer properties that match experimentally known values for real |
535 |
> |
lipid bilayers. Using a value of $l = 13.8$ \AA for the ellipsoidal |
536 |
> |
tails and the fixed ellipsoidal aspect ratio of 3, our values for the |
537 |
> |
area per lipid ($A$) and inter-layer spacing ($D_{HH}$) depend |
538 |
> |
entirely on the size of the head bead relative to the molecular body. |
539 |
> |
These values are tabulated in table \ref{tab:property}. Kucera {\it |
540 |
> |
et al.} have measured values for the head group spacings for a number |
541 |
> |
of PC lipid bilayers that range from 30.8 \AA (DLPC) to 37.8 (DPPC). |
542 |
> |
They have also measured values for the area per lipid that range from |
543 |
> |
60.6 |
544 |
> |
\AA$^2$ (DMPC) to 64.2 \AA$^2$ |
545 |
> |
(DPPC).\cite{NorbertKucerka04012005,NorbertKucerka06012006} Only the |
546 |
> |
largest of the head groups we modeled ($\sigma_h = 1.41 d$) produces |
547 |
> |
bilayers (specifically the area per lipid) that resemble real PC |
548 |
> |
bilayers. The smaller head beads we used are perhaps better models |
549 |
> |
for PE head groups. |
550 |
> |
|
551 |
|
\begin{table*} |
552 |
|
\begin{minipage}{\linewidth} |
553 |
|
\begin{center} |
554 |
< |
\caption{Phases, ripple wavelengths and amplitudes observed as a |
555 |
< |
function of the ratio between the head beads and the diameters of the |
556 |
< |
tails. All lengths are normalized to the diameter of the tail |
557 |
< |
ellipsoids.} |
558 |
< |
\begin{tabular}{lccc} |
554 |
> |
\caption{Phase, bilayer spacing, area per lipid, ripple wavelength |
555 |
> |
and amplitude observed as a function of the ratio between the head |
556 |
> |
beads and the diameters of the tails. Ripple wavelengths and |
557 |
> |
amplitudes are normalized to the diameter of the tail ellipsoids.} |
558 |
> |
\begin{tabular}{lccccc} |
559 |
|
\hline |
560 |
< |
$\sigma_h / d$ & type of phase & $\lambda / d$ & $A / d$\\ |
560 |
> |
$\sigma_h / d$ & type of phase & bilayer spacing (\AA) & area per |
561 |
> |
lipid (\AA$^2$) & $\lambda / d$ & $A / d$\\ |
562 |
|
\hline |
563 |
< |
1.20 & flat & N/A & N/A \\ |
564 |
< |
1.28 & asymmetric ripple or flat & 21.7 & N/A \\ |
565 |
< |
1.35 & symmetric ripple & 17.2 & 2.2 \\ |
566 |
< |
1.41 & asymmetric ripple & 15.4 & 1.5 \\ |
563 |
> |
1.20 & flat & 33.4 & 49.6 & N/A & N/A \\ |
564 |
> |
1.28 & flat & 33.7 & 54.7 & N/A & N/A \\ |
565 |
> |
1.35 & symmetric ripple & 42.9 & 51.7 & 17.2 & 2.2 \\ |
566 |
> |
1.41 & asymmetric ripple & 37.1 & 63.1 & 15.4 & 1.5 \\ |
567 |
|
\end{tabular} |
568 |
|
\label{tab:property} |
569 |
|
\end{center} |
572 |
|
|
573 |
|
The membrane structures and the reduced wavelength $\lambda / d$, |
574 |
|
reduced amplitude $A / d$ of the ripples are summarized in Table |
575 |
< |
\ref{tab:property}. The wavelength range is $15~21$ molecular bodies |
575 |
> |
\ref{tab:property}. The wavelength range is $15 - 17$ molecular bodies |
576 |
|
and the amplitude is $1.5$ molecular bodies for asymmetric ripple and |
577 |
< |
$2.2$ for symmetric ripple. These values are consistent to the |
578 |
< |
experimental results. Note, that given the lack of structural freedom |
579 |
< |
in the tails of our model lipids, the amplitudes observed from these |
580 |
< |
simulations are likely to underestimate of the true amplitudes. |
577 |
> |
$2.2$ for symmetric ripple. These values are reasonably consistent |
578 |
> |
with experimental measurements.\cite{Sun96,Katsaras00,Kaasgaard03} |
579 |
> |
Note, that given the lack of structural freedom in the tails of our |
580 |
> |
model lipids, the amplitudes observed from these simulations are |
581 |
> |
likely to underestimate of the true amplitudes. |
582 |
|
|
583 |
|
\begin{figure}[htb] |
584 |
|
\centering |
585 |
|
\includegraphics[width=4in]{topDown} |
586 |
< |
\caption{Top views of the flat (upper), asymmetric ripple (middle), |
587 |
< |
and symmetric ripple (lower) phases. Note that the head-group dipoles |
588 |
< |
have formed head-to-tail chains in all three of these phases, but in |
589 |
< |
the two rippled phases, the dipolar chains are all aligned |
590 |
< |
{\it perpendicular} to the direction of the ripple. The flat membrane |
591 |
< |
has multiple point defects in the dipolar orientational ordering, and |
592 |
< |
the dipolar ordering on the lower leaf of the bilayer can be in a |
593 |
< |
different direction from the upper leaf.\label{fig:topView}} |
586 |
> |
\caption{Top views of the flat (upper), symmetric ripple (middle), |
587 |
> |
and asymmetric ripple (lower) phases. Note that the head-group |
588 |
> |
dipoles have formed head-to-tail chains in all three of these phases, |
589 |
> |
but in the two rippled phases, the dipolar chains are all aligned {\it |
590 |
> |
perpendicular} to the direction of the ripple. Note that the flat |
591 |
> |
membrane has multiple vortex defects in the dipolar ordering, and the |
592 |
> |
ordering on the lower leaf of the bilayer can be in an entirely |
593 |
> |
different direction from the upper leaf.\label{fig:topView}} |
594 |
|
\end{figure} |
595 |
|
|
596 |
|
The principal method for observing orientational ordering in dipolar |
622 |
|
groups to be completely decoupled from each other. |
623 |
|
|
624 |
|
Figure \ref{fig:topView} shows snapshots of bird's-eye views of the |
625 |
< |
flat ($\sigma_h = 1.20 d$) and rippled ($\sigma_h = 1.41, 1.35 d$) |
625 |
> |
flat ($\sigma_h = 1.20 d$) and rippled ($\sigma_h = 1.35, 1.41 d$) |
626 |
|
bilayers. The directions of the dipoles on the head groups are |
627 |
|
represented with two colored half spheres: blue (phosphate) and yellow |
628 |
|
(amino). For flat bilayers, the system exhibits signs of |
645 |
|
configuration, and the dipolar order parameter increases dramatically. |
646 |
|
However, the total polarization of the system is still close to zero. |
647 |
|
This is strong evidence that the corrugated structure is an |
648 |
< |
antiferroelectric state. It is also notable that the head-to-tail |
648 |
> |
anti-ferroelectric state. It is also notable that the head-to-tail |
649 |
|
arrangement of the dipoles is always observed in a direction |
650 |
|
perpendicular to the wave vector for the surface corrugation. This is |
651 |
|
a similar finding to what we observed in our earlier work on the |
686 |
|
increasing strength of the dipole. Generally, the dipoles on the head |
687 |
|
groups become more ordered as the strength of the interaction between |
688 |
|
heads is increased and become more disordered by decreasing the |
689 |
< |
interaction stength. When the interaction between the heads becomes |
689 |
> |
interaction strength. When the interaction between the heads becomes |
690 |
|
too weak, the bilayer structure does not persist; all lipid molecules |
691 |
|
become dispersed in the solvent (which is non-polar in this |
692 |
< |
molecular-scale model). The critial value of the strength of the |
692 |
> |
molecular-scale model). The critical value of the strength of the |
693 |
|
dipole depends on the size of the head groups. The perfectly flat |
694 |
|
surface becomes unstable below $5$ Debye, while the rippled |
695 |
|
surfaces melt at $8$ Debye (asymmetric) or $10$ Debye (symmetric). |
702 |
|
close to each other and distort the bilayer structure. For a flat |
703 |
|
surface, a substantial amount of free volume between the head groups |
704 |
|
is normally available. When the head groups are brought closer by |
705 |
< |
dipolar interactions, the tails are forced to splay outward, forming |
706 |
< |
first curved bilayers, and then inverted micelles. |
705 |
> |
dipolar interactions, the tails are forced to splay outward, first forming |
706 |
> |
curved bilayers, and then inverted micelles. |
707 |
|
|
708 |
|
When $\sigma_h=1.28 d$, the $P_2$ order parameter decreases slightly |
709 |
< |
when the strength of the dipole is increased above $16$ debye. For |
709 |
> |
when the strength of the dipole is increased above $16$ Debye. For |
710 |
|
rippled bilayers, there is less free volume available between the head |
711 |
|
groups. Therefore increasing dipolar strength weakly influences the |
712 |
|
structure of the membrane. However, the increase in the body $P_2$ |
763 |
|
molecular width ratio ($\sigma_h / d$).\label{fig:tP2}} |
764 |
|
\end{figure} |
765 |
|
|
766 |
< |
\section{Discussion} |
767 |
< |
\label{sec:discussion} |
766 |
> |
Fig. \ref{fig:phaseDiagram} shows a phase diagram for the model as a |
767 |
> |
function of the head group / molecular width ratio ($\sigma_h / d$) |
768 |
> |
and the strength of the head group dipole moment ($\mu$). Note that |
769 |
> |
the specific form of the bilayer phase is governed almost entirely by |
770 |
> |
the head group / molecular width ratio, while the strength of the |
771 |
> |
dipolar interactions between the head groups governs the stability of |
772 |
> |
the bilayer phase. Weaker dipoles result in unstable bilayer phases, |
773 |
> |
while extremely strong dipoles can shift the equilibrium to an |
774 |
> |
inverted micelle phase when the head groups are small. Temperature |
775 |
> |
has little effect on the actual bilayer phase observed, although higher |
776 |
> |
temperatures can cause the unstable region to grow into the higher |
777 |
> |
dipole region of this diagram. |
778 |
|
|
779 |
< |
The ripple phases have been observed in our molecular dynamic |
780 |
< |
simulations using a simple molecular lipid model. The lipid model |
781 |
< |
consists of an anisotropic interacting dipolar head group and an |
782 |
< |
ellipsoid shape tail. According to our simulations, the explanation of |
783 |
< |
the formation for the ripples are originated in the size mismatch |
784 |
< |
between the head groups and the tails. The ripple phases are only |
785 |
< |
observed in the studies using larger head group lipid models. However, |
786 |
< |
there is a mismatch betweent the size of the head groups and the size |
671 |
< |
of the tails in the simulations of the flat surface. This indicates |
672 |
< |
the competition between the anisotropic dipolar interaction and the |
673 |
< |
packing of the tails also plays a major role for formation of the |
674 |
< |
ripple phase. The larger head groups provide more free volume for the |
675 |
< |
tails, while these hydrophobic ellipsoids trying to be close to each |
676 |
< |
other, this gives the origin of the spontanous curvature of the |
677 |
< |
surface, which is believed as the beginning of the ripple phases. The |
678 |
< |
lager head groups cause the spontanous curvature inward for both of |
679 |
< |
leaves of the bilayer. This results in a steric strain when the tails |
680 |
< |
of two leaves too close to each other. The membrane has to be broken |
681 |
< |
to release this strain. There are two ways to arrange these broken |
682 |
< |
curvatures: symmetric and asymmetric ripples. Both of the ripple |
683 |
< |
phases have been observed in our studies. The difference between these |
684 |
< |
two ripples is that the bilayer is continuum in the symmetric ripple |
685 |
< |
phase and is disrupt in the asymmetric ripple phase. |
779 |
> |
\begin{figure}[htb] |
780 |
> |
\centering |
781 |
> |
\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{phaseDiagram} |
782 |
> |
\caption{Phase diagram for the simple molecular model as a function |
783 |
> |
of the head group / molecular width ratio ($\sigma_h / d$) and the |
784 |
> |
strength of the head group dipole moment |
785 |
> |
($\mu$).\label{fig:phaseDiagram}} |
786 |
> |
\end{figure} |
787 |
|
|
788 |
< |
Dipolar head groups are the key elements for the maintaining of the |
789 |
< |
bilayer structure. The lipids are solvated in water when lowering the |
790 |
< |
the strength of the dipole on the head groups. The long range |
791 |
< |
orientational ordering of the dipoles can be achieved by forming the |
792 |
< |
ripples, although the dipoles are likely to form head-to-tail |
793 |
< |
configurations even in flat surface, the frustration prevents the |
794 |
< |
formation of the long range orientational ordering for dipoles. The |
795 |
< |
corrugation of the surface breaks the frustration and stablizes the |
796 |
< |
long range oreintational ordering for the dipoles in the head groups |
797 |
< |
of the lipid molecules. Many rows of the head-to-tail dipoles are |
798 |
< |
parallel to each other and adopt the antiferroelectric state as a |
799 |
< |
whole. This is the first time the organization of the head groups in |
800 |
< |
ripple phases of the lipid bilayer has been addressed. |
788 |
> |
We have computed translational diffusion constants for lipid molecules |
789 |
> |
from the mean-square displacement, |
790 |
> |
\begin{equation} |
791 |
> |
D = \lim_{t\rightarrow \infty} \frac{1}{6 t} \langle {|\left({\bf r}_{i}(t) - {\bf r}_{i}(0) \right)|}^2 \rangle, |
792 |
> |
\end{equation} |
793 |
> |
of the lipid bodies. Translational diffusion constants for the |
794 |
> |
different head-to-tail size ratios (all at 300 K) are shown in table |
795 |
> |
\ref{tab:relaxation}. We have also computed orientational correlation |
796 |
> |
times for the head groups from fits of the second-order Legendre |
797 |
> |
polynomial correlation function, |
798 |
> |
\begin{equation} |
799 |
> |
C_{\ell}(t) = \langle P_{\ell}\left({\bf \mu}_{i}(t) \cdot {\bf |
800 |
> |
\mu}_{i}(0) \right) |
801 |
> |
\end{equation} |
802 |
> |
of the head group dipoles. The orientational correlation functions |
803 |
> |
appear to have multiple components in their decay: a fast ($12 \pm 2$ |
804 |
> |
ps) decay due to librational motion of the head groups, as well as |
805 |
> |
moderate ($\tau^h_{\rm mid}$) and slow ($\tau^h_{\rm slow}$) |
806 |
> |
components. The fit values for the moderate and slow correlation |
807 |
> |
times are listed in table \ref{tab:relaxation}. Standard deviations |
808 |
> |
in the fit time constants are quite large (on the order of the values |
809 |
> |
themselves). |
810 |
|
|
811 |
< |
The most important prediction we can make using the results from this |
812 |
< |
simple model is that if dipolar ordering is driving the surface |
813 |
< |
corrugation, the wave vectors for the ripples should always found to |
814 |
< |
be {\it perpendicular} to the dipole director axis. This prediction |
815 |
< |
should suggest experimental designs which test whether this is really |
816 |
< |
true in the phosphatidylcholine $P_{\beta'}$ phases. The dipole |
817 |
< |
director axis should also be easily computable for the all-atom and |
818 |
< |
coarse-grained simulations that have been published in the literature. |
811 |
> |
Sparrman and Westlund used a multi-relaxation model for NMR lineshapes |
812 |
> |
observed in gel, fluid, and ripple phases of DPPC and obtained |
813 |
> |
estimates of a correlation time for water translational diffusion |
814 |
> |
($\tau_c$) of 20 ns.\cite{Sparrman2003} This correlation time |
815 |
> |
corresponds to water bound to small regions of the lipid membrane. |
816 |
> |
They further assume that the lipids can explore only a single period |
817 |
> |
of the ripple (essentially moving in a nearly one-dimensional path to |
818 |
> |
do so), and the correlation time can therefore be used to estimate a |
819 |
> |
value for the translational diffusion constant of $2.25 \times |
820 |
> |
10^{-11} m^2 s^{-1}$. The translational diffusion constants we obtain |
821 |
> |
are in reasonable agreement with this experimentally determined |
822 |
> |
value. However, the $T_2$ relaxation times obtained by Sparrman and |
823 |
> |
Westlund are consistent with P-N vector reorientation timescales of |
824 |
> |
2-5 ms. This is substantially slower than even the slowest component |
825 |
> |
we observe in the decay of our orientational correlation functions. |
826 |
> |
Other than the dipole-dipole interactions, our head groups have no |
827 |
> |
shape anisotropy which would force them to move as a unit with |
828 |
> |
neighboring molecules. This would naturally lead to P-N reorientation |
829 |
> |
times that are too fast when compared with experimental measurements. |
830 |
|
|
831 |
+ |
\begin{table*} |
832 |
+ |
\begin{minipage}{\linewidth} |
833 |
+ |
\begin{center} |
834 |
+ |
\caption{Fit values for the rotational correlation times for the head |
835 |
+ |
groups ($\tau^h$) and molecular bodies ($\tau^b$) as well as the |
836 |
+ |
translational diffusion constants for the molecule as a function of |
837 |
+ |
the head-to-body width ratio (all at 300 K). In all of the phases, |
838 |
+ |
the head group correlation functions decay with an fast librational |
839 |
+ |
contribution ($12 \pm 1$ ps). There are additional moderate |
840 |
+ |
($\tau^h_{\rm mid}$) and slow $\tau^h_{\rm slow}$ contributions to |
841 |
+ |
orientational decay that depend strongly on the phase exhibited by the |
842 |
+ |
lipids. The symmetric ripple phase ($\sigma_h / d = 1.35$) appears to |
843 |
+ |
exhibit the slowest molecular reorientation.} |
844 |
+ |
\begin{tabular}{lcccc} |
845 |
+ |
\hline |
846 |
+ |
$\sigma_h / d$ & $\tau^h_{\rm mid} (ns)$ & $\tau^h_{\rm |
847 |
+ |
slow} (\mu s)$ & $\tau_b (\mu s)$ & $D (\times 10^{-11} m^2 s^{-1})$ \\ |
848 |
+ |
\hline |
849 |
+ |
1.20 & $0.4$ & $9.6$ & $9.5$ & $0.43(1)$ \\ |
850 |
+ |
1.28 & $2.0$ & $13.5$ & $3.0$ & $5.91(3)$ \\ |
851 |
+ |
1.35 & $3.2$ & $4.0$ & $0.9$ & $3.42(1)$ \\ |
852 |
+ |
1.41 & $0.3$ & $23.8$ & $6.9$ & $7.16(1)$ \\ |
853 |
+ |
\end{tabular} |
854 |
+ |
\label{tab:relaxation} |
855 |
+ |
\end{center} |
856 |
+ |
\end{minipage} |
857 |
+ |
\end{table*} |
858 |
+ |
|
859 |
+ |
\section{Discussion} |
860 |
+ |
\label{sec:discussion} |
861 |
+ |
|
862 |
+ |
Symmetric and asymmetric ripple phases have been observed to form in |
863 |
+ |
our molecular dynamics simulations of a simple molecular-scale lipid |
864 |
+ |
model. The lipid model consists of an dipolar head group and an |
865 |
+ |
ellipsoidal tail. Within the limits of this model, an explanation for |
866 |
+ |
generalized membrane curvature is a simple mismatch in the size of the |
867 |
+ |
heads with the width of the molecular bodies. With heads |
868 |
+ |
substantially larger than the bodies of the molecule, this curvature |
869 |
+ |
should be convex nearly everywhere, a requirement which could be |
870 |
+ |
resolved either with micellar or cylindrical phases. |
871 |
+ |
|
872 |
+ |
The persistence of a {\it bilayer} structure therefore requires either |
873 |
+ |
strong attractive forces between the head groups or exclusionary |
874 |
+ |
forces from the solvent phase. To have a persistent bilayer structure |
875 |
+ |
with the added requirement of convex membrane curvature appears to |
876 |
+ |
result in corrugated structures like the ones pictured in |
877 |
+ |
Fig. \ref{fig:phaseCartoon}. In each of the sections of these |
878 |
+ |
corrugated phases, the local curvature near a most of the head groups |
879 |
+ |
is convex. These structures are held together by the extremely strong |
880 |
+ |
and directional interactions between the head groups. |
881 |
+ |
|
882 |
+ |
The attractive forces holding the bilayer together could either be |
883 |
+ |
non-directional (as in the work of Kranenburg and |
884 |
+ |
Smit),\cite{Kranenburg2005} or directional (as we have utilized in |
885 |
+ |
these simulations). The dipolar head groups are key for the |
886 |
+ |
maintaining the bilayer structures exhibited by this particular model; |
887 |
+ |
reducing the strength of the dipole has the tendency to make the |
888 |
+ |
rippled phase disappear. The dipoles are likely to form attractive |
889 |
+ |
head-to-tail configurations even in flat configurations, but the |
890 |
+ |
temperatures are high enough that vortex defects become prevalent in |
891 |
+ |
the flat phase. The flat phase we observed therefore appears to be |
892 |
+ |
substantially above the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperature for |
893 |
+ |
a planar system of dipoles with this set of parameters. For this |
894 |
+ |
reason, it would be interesting to observe the thermal behavior of the |
895 |
+ |
flat phase at substantially lower temperatures. |
896 |
+ |
|
897 |
+ |
One feature of this model is that an energetically favorable |
898 |
+ |
orientational ordering of the dipoles can be achieved by forming |
899 |
+ |
ripples. The corrugation of the surface breaks the symmetry of the |
900 |
+ |
plane, making vortex defects somewhat more expensive, and stabilizing |
901 |
+ |
the long range orientational ordering for the dipoles in the head |
902 |
+ |
groups. Most of the rows of the head-to-tail dipoles are parallel to |
903 |
+ |
each other and the system adopts a bulk anti-ferroelectric state. We |
904 |
+ |
believe that this is the first time the organization of the head |
905 |
+ |
groups in ripple phases has been addressed. |
906 |
+ |
|
907 |
+ |
Although the size-mismatch between the heads and molecular bodies |
908 |
+ |
appears to be the primary driving force for surface convexity, the |
909 |
+ |
persistence of the bilayer through the use of rippled structures is a |
910 |
+ |
function of the strong, attractive interactions between the heads. |
911 |
+ |
One important prediction we can make using the results from this |
912 |
+ |
simple model is that if the dipole-dipole interaction is the leading |
913 |
+ |
contributor to the head group attractions, the wave vectors for the |
914 |
+ |
ripples should always be found {\it perpendicular} to the dipole |
915 |
+ |
director axis. This echoes the prediction we made earlier for simple |
916 |
+ |
elastic dipolar membranes, and may suggest experimental designs which |
917 |
+ |
will test whether this is really the case in the phosphatidylcholine |
918 |
+ |
$P_{\beta'}$ phases. The dipole director axis should also be easily |
919 |
+ |
computable for the all-atom and coarse-grained simulations that have |
920 |
+ |
been published in the literature.\cite{deVries05} |
921 |
+ |
|
922 |
|
Although our model is simple, it exhibits some rich and unexpected |
923 |
< |
behaviors. It would clearly be a closer approximation to the reality |
924 |
< |
if we allowed greater translational freedom to the dipoles and |
925 |
< |
replaced the somewhat artificial lattice packing and the harmonic |
926 |
< |
elastic tension with more realistic molecular modeling potentials. |
927 |
< |
What we have done is to present a simple model which exhibits bulk |
928 |
< |
non-thermal corrugation, and our explanation of this rippling |
923 |
> |
behaviors. It would clearly be a closer approximation to reality if |
924 |
> |
we allowed bending motions between the dipoles and the molecular |
925 |
> |
bodies, and if we replaced the rigid ellipsoids with ball-and-chain |
926 |
> |
tails. However, the advantages of this simple model (large system |
927 |
> |
sizes, 50 fs time steps) allow us to rapidly explore the phase diagram |
928 |
> |
for a wide range of parameters. Our explanation of this rippling |
929 |
|
phenomenon will help us design more accurate molecular models for |
930 |
< |
corrugated membranes and experiments to test whether rippling is |
931 |
< |
dipole-driven or not. |
720 |
< |
|
930 |
> |
corrugated membranes and experiments to test whether or not |
931 |
> |
dipole-dipole interactions exert an influence on membrane rippling. |
932 |
|
\newpage |
933 |
|
\bibliography{mdripple} |
934 |
|
\end{document} |