User:Biophys99/Ethanol and Membranes

Ethanol’s Effect on Lipid Bilayer Properties



The lipid bilayer is a key component of cells, and therefore an important aspect of all living organisms. Ethanol’s interactions with this pervasive biochemical structure has been investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations, micropipette aspiration , fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. It is found that ethanol causes lipid bilayers to become more fluid and less ordered. The increased "fluidity" of the lipids upon exposure to ethanol is theorized to allow lipid-lipid contact, such as occurs in vesicle fusion, to occur more readily. This destabilizing effect has been shown to be tempered by the presence of the sterols cholesterol and ergosterol, which are common components of biological membranes. It is not clear whether or not the effect of ethanol on lipid bilayer properties is significant enough to explain the intoxicating and/or anesthetic effects of ethanol consumption.

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