GM1 asymmetry in the membrane stabilizes pores

Cell membranes are highly asymmetric and their stability against poration is crucial for survival. We investigated the influence of membrane asymmetry on electroporation of giant unilamellar vesicles with membranes doped with GM1, a ganglioside asymmetrically enriched in the outer leaflet of neurona...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biophysical journal 2022-09, Vol.121 (17), p.3295-3302
Main Authors: Aleksanyan, Mina, Lira, Rafael B., Steinkühler, Jan, Dimova, Rumiana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Membrane - metabolism
Electroporation
G(M1) Ganglioside
Membranes - metabolism
Unilamellar Liposomes - metabolism
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Summary:Cell membranes are highly asymmetric and their stability against poration is crucial for survival. We investigated the influence of membrane asymmetry on electroporation of giant unilamellar vesicles with membranes doped with GM1, a ganglioside asymmetrically enriched in the outer leaflet of neuronal cell membranes. Compared with symmetric membranes, the lifetimes of micronsized pores are about an order of magnitude longer suggesting that pores are stabilized by GM1. Internal membrane nanotubes caused by the GM1 asymmetry, obstruct and additionally slow down pore closure, effectively reducing pore edge tension and leading to leaky membranes. Our results point to the drastic effects this ganglioside can have on pore resealing in biotechnology applications based on poration as well as on membrane repair processes.
ISSN:0006-3495
1542-0086
DOI:10.1016/j.bpj.2022.06.011