Open AccessStructure and Dynamics of Glycosphingolipids in Lipid Bilayers: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Author(s) -
Ronak Y. Patel,
Petety V. Balaji
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of carbohydrate chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1687-935X
pISSN - 1687-9341
DOI - 10.1155/2011/950256
Subject(s) - membrane , molecular dynamics , chemistry , lipid bilayer , dynamics (music) , lipid raft , biological membrane , biophysics , glycolipid , membrane structure , hydrogen bond , chemical physics , raft , nanotechnology , computational chemistry , biochemistry , materials science , molecule , organic chemistry , physics , biology , acoustics , copolymer , polymer
Glycolipids are important constituents of biological membranes, and understanding their structure and dynamics in lipid bilayers provides insights into their physiological and pathological roles. Experimental techniques have provided details into their behavior at model and biological membranes; however, computer simulations are needed to gain atomic level insights. This paper summarizes the insights obtained from MD simulations into the conformational and orientational dynamics of glycosphingolipids and their exposure, hydration, and hydrogen-bonding interactions in membrane environment. The organization of glycosphingolipids in raft-like membranes and their modulation of lipid membrane structure are also reviewed
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