Membrane States of Lipids in Biological Membranes
—Structure-Function Relationship Revealed from Pressure Study—

Abstract

  Bilayer-membrane properties of the most frequently used lipid in membrane studies, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), are described. And then, barotropic bilayer phase behavior of various kinds of phospholipids with a different molecular structure from DPPC is explained in comparison with that of the DPPC bilayer. A slight difference in the molecular structure has a marked influence on the membrane state of the bilayer. Systematic pressure study using the DPPC bilayer enables us to understand the role and meaning of various phospholipids existing in biological membranes.