Thermotropic and Barotropic Structural Transitions in Phospholipid Bilayer Membranes

Abstract

Pressure studies on the bilayer phase transitions of phospholipids with different polar head groups (i.e., phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) and different types of acyl chains (i.e., saturated and unsaturated acyl chains) are reviewed. Phase behavior of these lipid bilayers is elucidated thermodynamically by the temperature-pressure phase diagrams and the results of DSC measurements. The phase stability of bilayers is also discussed in connection with molecular structure of lipids.