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In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity
Published on: January 5, 2016
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Ceramide-C16 Is a Versatile Modulator of Phosphatidylethanolamine Polymorphism
Mahmoudreza Doroudgar1, Michel Lafleur1
1Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Biophysical Journal
|June 8, 2017
Summary
Ceramide-C16 (CerC16) alters cell membrane structure by affecting lipid phase transitions. This sphingolipid influences membrane fluidity and curvature, impacting its role in diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Membrane Biology
Background:
- Ceramide-C16 (CerC16) is a sphingolipid implicated in various diseases, including diabetes, obesity, Parkinson disease, and cancers.
- Understanding CerC16's impact on cell membrane behavior is crucial for elucidating its role in disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Ceramide-C16 (CerC16) on the lipid polymorphism of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE).
- To elucidate the influence of CerC16 on membrane phase transitions and structure.
Main Methods:
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
- Sequential 2H and 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
- Construction of a partial phase diagram for POPE/CerC16 mixtures.
Main Results:
- CerC16 upshifted the gel-to-liquid crystalline (Lβ - Lα) phase transition temperature of POPE, creating a broad Lβ/Lα coexistence region.
- CerC16 downshifted the lamellar-to-inverted hexagonal (L - HII) phase transition temperature of POPE.
- A three-phase coexistence line was observed where the two transitions overlapped, with the resulting HII phase composition varying with CerC16 concentration.
Conclusions:
- Ceramide-C16 (CerC16) significantly modulates POPE membrane phase behavior, affecting fluidity and curvature.
- The ability of CerC16 to alter membrane properties suggests its role as a versatile signaling molecule in cellular events.
- These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying CerC16-associated diseases.
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