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Optical Control of Lipid Rafts with Photoswitchable Ceramides

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posted on 2016-09-14, 00:00 authored by James Allen Frank, Henri G. Franquelim, Petra Schwille, Dirk Trauner
Ceramide is a pro-apoptotic sphingolipid with unique physical characteristics. Often viewed as a second messenger, its generation can modulate the structure of lipid rafts. We prepared three photoswitchable ceramides, ACes, which contain an azobenzene photoswitch allowing for optical control over the N-acyl chain. Using combined atomic force and confocal fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that the ACes enable reversible switching of lipid domains in raft-mimicking supported lipid bilayers (SLBs). In the trans-configuration, the ACes localize into the liquid-ordered (Lo) phase. Photoisomerization to the cis-form triggers a fluidification of the Lo domains, as liquid-disordered (Ld) “lakes” are formed within the rafts. Photoisomerization back to the trans-state with blue light stimulates a rigidification inside the Ld phase, as the formation of small Lo domains. These changes can be repeated over multiple cycles, enabling a dynamic spatiotemporal control of the lipid raft structure with light.

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