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Effects of Sterol Mole Fraction on Membrane Lateral Organization: Linking Fluorescence Signals to Sterol Superlattices

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Perspectives on Fluorescence

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Fluorescence ((SS FLUOR,volume 17))

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Abstract

Research highlights cited here illustrate some unconventional usage of fluorescent probes in biophysical studies on sterol superlattices in model membranes. The use of small sterol mole fraction increments over a wide range correctly delineates the global trend as well as the fine details of the effects of sterol content on membrane properties. An alternating variation of fluorescence signals and membrane properties with sterol content, with maxima or minima appeared at critical sterol mole fractions, was observed in many different membrane systems and can be explained by the sterol superlattice model. This model has been progressing over the last two decades. The current model links sterol superlattice formation with condensed complex formation, gives a deeper understanding of the liquid-ordered phase, and reveals two concentration-induced sharp phase transitions immediately below and above a critical sterol mole fraction for maximal superlattice formation. The density and size of membrane rafts isolated from model membranes as detergent resistant membrane fragments show characteristics typical for sterol superlattices, which suggests that membrane rafts and sterol superlattices are closely related. The concept of sterol superlattice formation can be used to optimize liposomal drug formulations and develop a method for a facile screening of lipid-soluble antioxidants for potency and toxicity.

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Acknowledgment

I thank AHA, DOD, ACS, NSF, and ARO for supporting the superlattice project and all the students, postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators involved, with special thanks to István Sugár, Su-In Yoon, and Berenice Venegas for re-using their data in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Parkson Lee-Gau Chong

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  1. Parkson Lee-Gau Chong
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Correspondence to Parkson Lee-Gau Chong .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

    David M. Jameson

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Chong, P.LG. (2016). Effects of Sterol Mole Fraction on Membrane Lateral Organization: Linking Fluorescence Signals to Sterol Superlattices. In: Jameson, D. (eds) Perspectives on Fluorescence. Springer Series on Fluorescence, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/4243_2016_8

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