Abstract:

The structural integrity of biological membranes is maintained by membrane proteins embedded in the lipid bilayer. A delicate balance of weak interactions between the lipid bilayer and membrane associated proteins regulates cellular homeostasis and disease states. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the construction of in vitro mimics of biological membranes. This allows the study of multiple facets of complex interactions involving lipids and proteins in a simple environment. In recent years, liquid crystal (LC) interfaces decorated with self-assembled layers of phospholipids have evolved as biomimetic systems for systematic study of lipid- protein interactions. Binding of proteins to these phospholipid-laden fluid interfaces can be coupled to the orientational ordering of LCs. In this minireview, we have surveyed the key investigations of these interactions using LC interfaces as the sensing platform. Micrometer thick films of liquid crystals can report interactions ranging from hydrolysis of lipids by enzymatic peptides to membrane induced amyloid formation.