Biomaterial Database

Structural and thermodynamic determinants of chain-melting transition temperatures for phospholipid and glycolipids membranes. 2010

Derek Marsh

Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie, Abteilung Spektroskopie und photochemische Kinetik, 37070 Göttingen, Germany. dmarsh@gwdg.de

For optimum function, biological membranes need a fluid environment, which is afforded by the liquid-disordered phase of lipids with low chain-melting temperatures or the liquid-ordered phase that is formed by combining high chain-melting lipids with cholesterol. The dependence of chain-melting transition temperature on lipid chain structure is therefore of central importance. The currently available database, including sphingolipids and glycolipids, is summarised here by parameterising systematic dependences on molecular structure in terms of suitable thermodynamic models. Chain-length dependence, chain asymmetry of lipids forming partially interdigitated and mixed interdigitated gel phases, chain unsaturation, positional dependence of methyl branching, headgroup-attached and alpha-branched chains, and length of zwitterionic headgroups are all covered. This type of information is essential for biophysical approaches to functional lipidomics.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008560	Membrane Fluidity	The motion of phospholipid molecules within the lipid bilayer, dependent on the classes of phospholipids present, their fatty acid composition and degree of unsaturation of the acyl chains, the cholesterol concentration, and temperature.	Bilayer Fluidity,Bilayer Fluidities,Fluidities, Bilayer,Fluidities, Membrane,Fluidity, Bilayer,Fluidity, Membrane,Membrane Fluidities
D008563	Membrane Lipids	Lipids, predominantly phospholipids, cholesterol and small amounts of glycolipids found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. These lipids may be arranged in bilayers in the membranes with integral proteins between the layers and peripheral proteins attached to the outside. Membrane lipids are required for active transport, several enzymatic activities and membrane formation.	Cell Membrane Lipid,Cell Membrane Lipids,Membrane Lipid,Lipid, Cell Membrane,Lipid, Membrane,Lipids, Cell Membrane,Lipids, Membrane,Membrane Lipid, Cell,Membrane Lipids, Cell
D008956	Models, Chemical	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of chemical processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Chemical Models,Chemical Model,Model, Chemical
D010713	Phosphatidylcholines	Derivatives of PHOSPHATIDIC ACIDS in which the phosphoric acid is bound in ester linkage to a CHOLINE moiety.	Choline Phosphoglycerides,Choline Glycerophospholipids,Phosphatidyl Choline,Phosphatidyl Cholines,Phosphatidylcholine,Choline, Phosphatidyl,Cholines, Phosphatidyl,Glycerophospholipids, Choline,Phosphoglycerides, Choline
D010714	Phosphatidylethanolamines	Derivatives of phosphatidic acids in which the phosphoric acid is bound in ester linkage to an ethanolamine moiety. Complete hydrolysis yields 1 mole of glycerol, phosphoric acid and ethanolamine and 2 moles of fatty acids.	Cephalin,Cephalins,Ethanolamine Phosphoglyceride,Ethanolamine Phosphoglycerides,Ethanolamineglycerophospholipids,Phosphoglyceride, Ethanolamine,Phosphoglycerides, Ethanolamine
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D006017	Glycolipids	Any compound containing one or more monosaccharide residues bound by a glycosidic linkage to a hydrophobic moiety such as an acylglycerol (see GLYCERIDES), a sphingoid, a ceramide (CERAMIDES) (N-acylsphingoid) or a prenyl phosphate. (From IUPAC's webpage)	Glycolipid
D000465	Algorithms	A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task.	Algorithm
D013816	Thermodynamics	A rigorously mathematical analysis of energy relationships (heat, work, temperature, and equilibrium). It describes systems whose states are determined by thermal parameters, such as temperature, in addition to mechanical and electromagnetic parameters. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 12th ed)	Thermodynamic
D044366	Transition Temperature	The temperature at which a substance changes from one state or conformation of matter to another.	Temperature, Transition,Boiling Point Temperature,Freezing Point Temperature,Melting Point Temperature,Boiling Point Temperatures,Freezing Point Temperatures,Melting Point Temperatures,Temperature, Boiling Point,Temperature, Freezing Point,Temperature, Melting Point,Temperatures, Boiling Point,Temperatures, Freezing Point,Temperatures, Melting Point,Temperatures, Transition,Transition Temperatures