Ultrafast hydration dynamics in the lipidic cubic phase: Discrete water structures in nanochannels

We report here our studies of hydration dynamics of confined water in aqueous nanochannels (approximately 50 A) of the lipidic cubic phase. By systematically anchoring the hydrocarbon tails of a series of tryptophan-alkyl ester probes into the lipid bilayer, we mapped out with femtosecond resolution the profile of water motions across the nanochannel. Three distinct time scales were observed, revealing discrete channel water structures. The interfacial water at the lipid surface is well-ordered, and the relaxation dynamics occurs in approximately 100-150 ps. These dynamically rigid water molecules are crucial for global structural stability of lipid bilayers and for stabilization of anchored biomolecules in membranes. The adjacent water layers near the lipid interface are hydrogen-bonded networks and the dynamical relaxation takes 10-15 ps. This quasi-bound water motion, similar to the typical protein surface hydration relaxation, facilitates conformation flexibility for biological recognition and function. The water near the channel center is bulklike, and the dynamics is ultrafast in less than 1 ps. These water molecules freely transport biomolecules near the channel center. The corresponding orientational relaxation at these three typical locations is well correlated with the hydration dynamics and local dynamic rigidity. These results reveal unique water structures and dynamical motions in nanoconfinements, which is critical to the understanding of nanoscopic biological activities and nanomaterial properties.