Investigating the dynamics of large lipid nanodomains in response to physicochemical perturbations

Francis, Abel Xavier (2025) Investigating the dynamics of large lipid nanodomains in response to physicochemical perturbations. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (MS Dissertation of Abel Xavier Francis (20MS046)) 20MS046_Thesis_file.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (12MB)

Abstract

Biological membranes exhibit complex phase behavior owing to the presence of chemically distinct species of lipids present on the bilayer. This phase behavior leads to the formation of nanoscale domains, aptly referred to as nanodomains. While the general properties of these structures have been characterized, challenges remain owing to experimental limitations in time and space resolution, which simulation-based studies can overcome. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of phase-separated membrane initial configurations, I study the biophysical properties of such nanodomains and their response to perturbations by temperature and the introduction of the lysolipid, PPC. The addition of PPC leads to a noticeable retardation in phase mixing. Further, PPC also induces the formation of islets of lower lipid tail ordering within a larger liquid ordered nanodomain at physiological temperatures. An overall compaction of the membrane is also observed with the addition of PPC, irrespective of temperature. The observations hence obtained point towards a possible mechanism by which nanodomain architecture can be disrupted by naturally occurring lysolipids on the cell membrane. iv

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