Rhamnolipids (RLs) are biosurfactants with significant tensioactive and emulsifying properties. They are mainly composed by mono-RL and di-RL components. Although there are numerous studies concerning their molecular properties, information is scarce regarding the mechanisms by which each of the two components interacts with cell membranes. Herein, we performed phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy experiments on plasma membrane models represented by giant-unilamellar-vesicles (GUVs) composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), 2-[[(E,2S,3R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-(octadecanoylamino) octadec-4-enyl]peroxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxyethyl-trimethylazanium (sphingomyelin, SM) and (3β)-cholest-5-en-3-ol (cholesterol, CHOL) (1:1:1 M ratio), which present liquid-order (Lo) liquid-disorder (Ld) phase coexistence, in the presence of either mono-RL or di-RL in 0.06–0.25 mM concentration range. A new method has been developed to determine area and volume of GUVs with asymmetrical shape and a kinetic model describing GUV-RL interaction in terms of two mechanisms, RL-insertion and pore formation, has been worked out. Results show that the insertion of mono-RL in the membrane outer leaflet is the dominant process with no pore formation and a negligible effect in modifying membrane permeability, but induces lipid mixing. Conversely, the di-RL-GUV interaction begins with the insertion mechanism and, as the time passes by, the pore formation process occurs. The analyses of di-RL show that the whole process is only relevant in the Ld phase with a higher extent to 0.25 mM than to 0.06 mM.

Unveiling the mono-rhamnolipid and di-rhamnolipid mechanisms of action upon plasma membrane models / Marega Motta, A.; Donato, M.; Mobbili, G.; Mariani, P.; Itri, R.; Spinozzi, F.. - In: JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE. - ISSN 0021-9797. - STAMPA. - 624:(2022), pp. 579-592. [10.1016/j.jcis.2022.05.145]

Unveiling the mono-rhamnolipid and di-rhamnolipid mechanisms of action upon plasma membrane models

Marega Motta A.
Primo
;
Mobbili G.;Mariani P.;Itri R.;Spinozzi F.
Ultimo
2022-01-01

Abstract

Rhamnolipids (RLs) are biosurfactants with significant tensioactive and emulsifying properties. They are mainly composed by mono-RL and di-RL components. Although there are numerous studies concerning their molecular properties, information is scarce regarding the mechanisms by which each of the two components interacts with cell membranes. Herein, we performed phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy experiments on plasma membrane models represented by giant-unilamellar-vesicles (GUVs) composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), 2-[[(E,2S,3R)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-(octadecanoylamino) octadec-4-enyl]peroxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxyethyl-trimethylazanium (sphingomyelin, SM) and (3β)-cholest-5-en-3-ol (cholesterol, CHOL) (1:1:1 M ratio), which present liquid-order (Lo) liquid-disorder (Ld) phase coexistence, in the presence of either mono-RL or di-RL in 0.06–0.25 mM concentration range. A new method has been developed to determine area and volume of GUVs with asymmetrical shape and a kinetic model describing GUV-RL interaction in terms of two mechanisms, RL-insertion and pore formation, has been worked out. Results show that the insertion of mono-RL in the membrane outer leaflet is the dominant process with no pore formation and a negligible effect in modifying membrane permeability, but induces lipid mixing. Conversely, the di-RL-GUV interaction begins with the insertion mechanism and, as the time passes by, the pore formation process occurs. The analyses of di-RL show that the whole process is only relevant in the Ld phase with a higher extent to 0.25 mM than to 0.06 mM.
2022
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11566/308002
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