作者:Toshiyuki Yamaguchi、Takashi Suzuki、Tomokazu Yasuda、Tohru Oishi、Nobuaki Matsumori、Michio Murata
DOI:10.1016/j.bmc.2011.11.001
日期:2012.1
Sphingomyelin (SM) is a common sphingolipid in mammalian membranes and is known to be substantially involved in cellular events such as the formation of lipid rafts. Despite its biological significance, conformation of SM in a membrane environment remains unclear because the noncrystalline property and anisotropic environment of lipid bilayers hampers the application of X-ray crystallography and NMR measurements. In this study, to elucidate the conformation of SM in membranes, we utilized bicelles as a substitute for a lipid bilayer membrane. First, we demonstrated through P-31 NMR, H-2 NMR, and dynamic light scattering experiments that SM forms both oriented and isotropic bicelles by changing the ratio of SM/dihexanoyl phosphatidylcholine. Then, we determined the conformation of SM in isotropic bicelles on the basis of coupling constants and NOE correlations in H-1 NMR and found that the C2-C6 and amide groups of SM take a relatively rigid conformation in bicelles. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.