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A Versatile Suspended Lipid Membrane System for Probing Membrane Remodeling and Disruption
Achinta Sannigrahi1, Vishwesh Haricharan Rai1, Muhsin Vannan Chalil1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India.
Membranes
|December 23, 2022
Summary
We developed a stable, easy-to-fabricate suspended lipid bilayer (SULB) platform using commercial filters. This system advances the study of membrane properties, protein interactions, and viral fusion processes.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Membrane Biology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Artificial membrane systems model cellular processes like transport and fusion.
- Existing models (SUVs, GUVs, supported bilayers) have limitations: high curvature, heterogeneity, and surface artifacts.
- Freestanding membranes offer solutions but current fabrication methods are costly and lack stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel, easy-to-fabricate suspended lipid bilayer (SULB) platform.
- To overcome limitations of existing artificial membrane systems.
- To provide a stable platform for studying lipid composition-dependent membrane properties and interactions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of suspended lipid bilayers (SULBs) using commercial track-etched porous filters (PCTE) with defined microwell sizes.
- Characterization of SULB structural and functional properties.
- Investigating the effect of sphingomyelin on Cytolysin A (ClyA) pore formation.
- Studying dengue virus-mediated membrane fusion kinetics.
Main Results:
- The SULB platform demonstrates exceptional stability and ease of fabrication.
- Sphingomyelin significantly enhances Cytolysin A activity, inducing lipid exchange between bilayer leaflets.
- High efficiency and rapid kinetics of dengue virus-mediated membrane fusion were observed.
- The SULB system effectively models biomembrane interactions.
Conclusions:
- The developed SULB platform offers a robust and accessible model for biomembrane research.
- This system facilitates detailed investigation of lipid-protein interactions and viral dynamics.
- The SULB platform represents a significant advancement for studying a wide range of biomembrane processes.
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