Abstract
Resonance Raman spectra of azobenzene derivatives were examined in the presence of lipid membranes to find a probe that can distinguish different membrane phases. The NO2 symmetric stretching band of 4-(4-nitrophenylazo)aniline, also known as Disperse Orange 3 (DO3), is downshifted by about 4cm-1 on the phase transition of phosphatidylcholine membranes from the liquid crystalline to the gel phase. A comparable downshift also occurs when DO3 is bound to cholesterol-containing membranes in the liquid-ordered phase. Our results demonstrate that Raman spectrum of DO3 is a unique tool for measuring the molecular order of lipids in membranes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 859-863 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | FEBS Open Bio |
Volume | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- Disperse orange 3
- Membrane microdomains
- Membrane order
- Raman spectroscopy
- Resonance raman probe
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)