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Title: Molecular Packing of Functionalized Fluorinated Lipids in Langmuir Monolayers

Journal Article · · Langmuir
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/la103743e· OSTI ID:1029001

Fluorinated amphipaths are a fascinating class of compounds, which, despite significant challenges associated with their syntheses, have found use across a number of areas of biotechnology. Applications range from the in vitro stabilization of membrane proteins to the development of enhanced stability intravenous drug and gene delivery systems. More recently, monolayer-forming fluorinated lipids have found use in the 2D crystallization of detergent-solubilized hydrophobic or partially hydrophobic proteins at the air-water interface. In this study, we investigate the surface properties of a novel suite of monolayer forming, partially fluorinated lipids. These modular lipid structures contain a densely fluorinated insertion in the hydrocarbon tail and a synthetically modifiable headgroup. Analyses of surface-pressure area isotherms and X-ray reflectometry profiles reveal that the lipids spread into fluid monolayers and are more compressible than their non-fluorinated counterparts. Furthermore, the data support a model whereby the partially fluorinated chains of the lipid tails form a film which is fundamentally incompatible with detergents and other destabilizing amphipaths.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
FOREIGN
OSTI ID:
1029001
Journal Information:
Langmuir, Vol. 26, Issue (24) ; 12, 2010; ISSN 0743-7463
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH