25-Hydroxycholesterol Effect on Membrane Structure and Mechanical Properties.

Marco M Domingues, Bárbara Gomes, Axel Hollmann, Nuno C Santos

International journal of molecular sciences 2021 Mar 04

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Cholesterol is responsible for the plasticity of plasma membranes and is involved in physiological and pathophysiological responses. Cholesterol homeostasis is regulated by oxysterols, such as 25-hydroxycholesterol. The presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol at the membrane level has been shown to interfere with several viruses' entry into their target cells. We used atomic force microscopy to assess the effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol on different properties of supported lipid bilayers with controlled lipid compositions. In particular, we showed that 25-hydroxycholesterol inhibits the lipid-condensing effects of cholesterol, rendering the bilayers less rigid. This study indicates that the inclusion of 25-hydroxycholesterol in plasma membranes or the conversion of part of their cholesterol content into 25-hydroxycholesterol leads to morphological alterations of the sphingomyelin (SM)-enriched domains and promotes lipid packing inhomogeneities. These changes culminate in membrane stiffness variations.

Citation

Marco M Domingues, Bárbara Gomes, Axel Hollmann, Nuno C Santos. 25-Hydroxycholesterol Effect on Membrane Structure and Mechanical Properties. International journal of molecular sciences. 2021 Mar 04;22(5)