Abstract
Self-assembled lipid nanotubes (LNTs) could mimic the lipid bilayer of biological membranes and are widely used as substrates for proteins in the biotechnology. Since the protein-LNT binding depends strongly on the physicochemical properties of the LNT, we studied one of the important properties of the “naked” (not associated with protein) LNT—their electrical polarizability. The experiments were performed on galactosyl ceramide nanotubes suspension through electric light scattering method. The average values for the length of the LNT particles as well as the magnitude and type of their electrical polarizability are determinated. The analysis of the experimental results is performed on the basis of the comparison with the theory. The data were taken from experimental curves obtained from the variation of the electric light scattering effect with time, strength, and frequency of the applied electric field. The average values for the total electrical polarizability obtained from the electric light scattering effect in three independent ways give comparable results: 1.9, 1.4, and 0.9 × 10−29 F m2. The average value of the length of the galactosyl ceramide nanotubes was estimated to be about 0.95 μm, and the type of polarization was found to be “charge dependent“(electrokinetic) and of Maxwell-Wagner-O’Konski type. The method used here could be applicable to the most of the organic NTs.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Shimizu T (2008) Self-assembled organic nanotubes: Toward attoliter chemistry. J Polymer Sci: Part A: Polymer Chem 46:2601–2611
Parmenter CDJ, Cane MC, Zhang R, Stoilova-McPhie (2008) Cryo-electron microscopy of coagulation Factor VIII bound to lipid nanotubes. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 366:288–293.
Voitylov VV, Voitylov AV, Korytkova EN, Romanov VP, Gusarov VV, Ul’yanov SV (2009) Electrooptic properties of aqueous suspensions of nanotubes based on magnesium hydrosilicate. Opt Spectrosc 106:50–55
Huang B, van de Ven TGM, Hill RJ (2011) Electro-optics of polymer nanotube dispersions. J Phys Chem 115:8447–8456
Stoylov SP (1991) Colloid electro-optics, theory, techniques and application. Academic Press, London
O’Konski CT, Yoshioka K, Ortung W (1959) Electric properties of macromolecules. 4. Determination of electric and optic parameters from saturation of electric birefringence in solutions. J Phys Chem 63:1558–1565
Wilson-Kubalek EM, Brown RE, Celia H, Milligan RA (1998) Lipid nanotubes as substrates for helical crystallization of macromolecules. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95:8040–8045
Hirano K, Aoyagi M, Ishido T, Ooie T, Frusawa H, Asakawa M, Shimizu T, Ishikawa M (2009) Measuring the length distribution of self-assembled lipid nanotubes by orientation control with high-frequency alternating current electric field in aqueous solutions. Anal Chem 81:1459–1464
Stoylov SP, Stoilova-McPhie S (2011) Electro-optic properties of organic nanotubes. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 166:24–35
Benoit H (1951) Contribution a l’etude de l’effect Kerr presente par les solutions diluees de macromolecules rigides. Ann Phys 6:561–609
Broersma S (1960) Viscous force constant for a closed cylinder. J Chem Phys 32:1626–1631
Wippler C (1956) Diffusion de la lumiere par des solutions macromoleculaire. II. Etude experimentale de l’effect d’un champ electrique sur les particules rigides. J Chim Phys 53:316–328
Kerker M (1969) The scattering of light and other electromagnetic radiation. Academic Press, London-New York
Stoylov SP (2007) Electro-optical investigations of the dipole moments of nanoparticles. Colloids Surf B: Biointerfaces 36:50–58
Böhm KJ, Mavromatos NE, Michette A, Stracke R, Unger E (2005) Movement and alignment of microtubules in electric fields. Electromagn Biol Medicine 24:319–330
Minoura I, Muto E (2006) Dielectric measurement of individual microtubules using the electroorientation method. Biophys J 90:3739–3748
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kamburova, K., Radeva, T., Stoilova-McPhie, S. et al. Electric polarization and size of lipid nanotubes—an electric light scattering study. Colloid Polym Sci 293, 3319–3324 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-015-3688-3
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-015-3688-3