Issue 41, 2023

How a few help all: cooperative crossing of lipid membranes by COSAN anions

Abstract

Experimental results show that the presence of a concentration gradient of certain nano-ions (most notably cobaltabisdicarbollide ([o-COSAN] anions), induce a current across intact artificial phospholipid bilayers in spite of the high Born free energy estimated for these ions. The mechanism underlying this observed translocation of nano-anions across membranes has yet to be determined. Here we show, using molecular dynamics simulations, that the permeation of [o-COSAN] anions across a lipid bilayer proceeds in a cooperative manner. Single nano-ions can enter the bilayer but permeation is hampered by a free energy barrier of about 8kBT. The interaction between these nano-ions inside a leaflet induces a flip-flop translocation mechanism with the formation of transient, elongated structure inside the membrane. This cooperative flip-flop allows an efficient distribution of [o-COSAN] anions in both leaflets of the bilayer. These results suggest the existence of a new mechanism for permeation of nano-ions across lipid membranes, relevant for those that have the appropriate self-assembly character.

Graphical abstract: How a few help all: cooperative crossing of lipid membranes by COSAN anions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
28 Jul 2023
Accepted
05 Oct 2023
First published
06 Oct 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023,25, 27942-27948

How a few help all: cooperative crossing of lipid membranes by COSAN anions

D. C. Malaspina, F. Teixidor, C. Viñas and J. Faraudo, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 27942 DOI: 10.1039/D3CP03614F

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