Characterization of the interface of binary mixed DOPC:DOPS liposomes in water: The impact of charge condensation

J Chem Phys. 2017 Jan 28;146(4):044701. doi: 10.1063/1.4974084.

Abstract

Solutions of liposomes composed of binary mixtures of anionic dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) and zwitterionic dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) are investigated with label-free angle-resolved (AR) second harmonic scattering (SHS) and electrophoretic mobility measurements. The membrane surface potential is extracted from the AR-SHS response. The surface potential changes from -10 to -145 mV with varying DOPS content ( from 0% to 100%) and levels off already at ∼ 10 % DOPS content. The ζ-potential shows the same trend but with a drastically lower saturation value (-44 mV). This difference is explained by the formation of a condensed layer of Na+ counterions around the outer leaflet of the liposome as predicted by charge condensation theories for polyelectrolyte systems.

MeSH terms

  • Anions / chemistry
  • Cations, Monovalent / chemistry
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry*
  • Phosphatidylserines / chemistry*
  • Sodium / chemistry
  • Static Electricity
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Anions
  • Cations, Monovalent
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Liposomes
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Phosphatidylserines
  • Water
  • 1,2-dioleoylphosphatidylserine
  • Sodium
  • 1,2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine