| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944417 | Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes | 2013 | 7 Pages |
In this study we have prepared ceramide phosphoserine (CerPS) and examined its sterol-interacting properties. CerPS is a hydrogen-bonding sphingolipid, but its head group differs from that found in sphingomyelin (SM). Based on diphenylhexatriene steady-state anisotropy measurements, we observed that fully hydrated N-palmitoyl CerPS had a gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of about 51 °C in 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). This was close to the Tm measured for 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine (DPPS) bilayers (Tm 50.5 °C). Based on cholestatrienol (CTL) quenching experiments in liquid disordered ternary bilayers (containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphcholine; POPC), cholesterol/CTL formed sterol-enriched ordered domains with CerPS. These had similar thermostability as the sterol domains formed with N-palmitoyl SM. Cholesterol failed to form sterol-enriched ordered domains with DPPS under comparable conditions. Based on the equilibrium partitioning of CTL, we observed that the affinity of sterol for bilayers containing POPC/CerPS/cholesterol (6:3:1 by mol) was much higher than the affinity measured for control fluid POPC/cholesterol (9:1 by mol) bilayers, but slightly less than seen for comparable PSM-containing bilayers. We conclude that the phosphoserine head group was less efficient than the phosphocholine head group in stabilizing sterol/sphingolipid interaction. However, hydrogen bonding apparently can overcome some of the negative effects of the phosphoserine head group, since CerPS interacted more favorably with cholesterol compared to DPPS.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (105 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A ceramide with a phosphoserine (CerPS) headgroup was synthesized. ► The biophysical properties of CerPS were assessed in bilayers. ► The CerPS gel phase was more stable than that of sphingomyelin. ► Cholesterol interacted with CerPS but not with dipalmitoyl PS. ► We discuss the importance of hydrogen bonding for interactions.
