Formation of self-assembled glycolipid nanotubes with bilayer sheets

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2007 Mar;7(3):960-4. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2007.406.

Abstract

Rolled-up morphology of bilayer sheets in a self-assembled glycolipid nanotube (LNT) in water was carefully examined by using a cryogenic transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM) with a rapid-freezing specimen-preparation technique. The LNTs were obtained under a series of self-assembly conditions: boiling of an aqueous dispersion of glycolipid N-(11-cis-octadecenoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosylamine, subsequent gradual cooling, and incubation at room temperature for several days. Cryo-TEM images revealed that the LNT walls consist of a multilayer structure with interlayer distance of about 4.7 nm. These layers correspond to constituent lipid bilayers. From the result of precise cryo-TEM observations and analyses, we confirmed the rolled-up morphology of the lipid bilayer sheets in a complete self-assembled glycolipid nanotube.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Glycolipids / chemistry*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Glycolipids
  • Lipid Bilayers