4 |
|
|
5 |
|
\section{\label{lipidSec:Intro}Introduction} |
6 |
|
|
7 |
< |
In the past 10 years, computer speeds have allowed for the atomistic |
8 |
< |
simulation of phospholipid bilayers. These simulations have ranged |
9 |
< |
from simulation of the gel phase ($L_{\beta}$) of |
7 |
> |
In the past 10 years, increasing computer speeds have allowed for the |
8 |
> |
atomistic simulation of phospholipid bilayers for increasingly |
9 |
> |
relevant lenghths of time. These simulations have ranged from |
10 |
> |
simulation of the gel phase ($L_{\beta}$) of |
11 |
|
dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC),\cite{lindahl00} to the |
12 |
|
spontaneous aggregation of DPPC molecules into fluid phase |
13 |
|
($L_{\alpha}$) bilayers.\cite{marrink01} With the exception of a few |
14 |
|
ambitious |
15 |
|
simulations,\cite{marrink01:undulation,marrink:2002,lindahl00} most |
16 |
< |
investigations are limited to 64 to 256 |
16 |
> |
investigations are limited to a range of 64 to 256 |
17 |
|
phospholipids.\cite{lindahl00,sum:2003,venable00,gomez:2003,smondyrev:1999,marrink01} |
18 |
< |
This is due to the expense of the computer calculations involved when |
19 |
< |
performing these simulations. To properly hydrate a bilayer, one |
18 |
> |
The expense of the force calculations involved when performing these |
19 |
> |
simulations limits the system size. To properly hydrate a bilayer, one |
20 |
|
typically needs 25 water molecules for every lipid, bringing the total |
21 |
|
number of atoms simulated to roughly 8,000 for a system of 64 DPPC |
22 |
|
molecules. Added to the difficulty is the electrostatic nature of the |
23 |
< |
phospholipid head groups and water, requiring the computationally |
24 |
< |
expensive Ewald sum or its slightly faster derivative particle mesh |
25 |
< |
Ewald sum.\cite{nina:2002,norberg:2000,patra:2003} These factors all |
26 |
< |
limit the potential size and time lengths of bilayer simulations. |
23 |
> |
phospholipid head groups and water, requiring either the |
24 |
> |
computationally expensive Ewald sum or the faster, particle mesh Ewald |
25 |
> |
sum.\cite{nina:2002,norberg:2000,patra:2003} These factors all limit |
26 |
> |
the system size and time scales of bilayer simulations. |
27 |
|
|
28 |
|
Unfortunately, much of biological interest happens on time and length |
29 |
< |
scales infeasible with current simulation. One such example is the |
30 |
< |
observance of a ripple phase ($P_{\beta^{\prime}}$) between the |
31 |
< |
$L_{\beta}$ and $L_{\alpha}$ phases of certain phospholipid |
32 |
< |
bilayers.\cite{katsaras00,sengupta00} These ripples are shown to |
33 |
< |
have periodicity on the order of 100-200~$\mbox{\AA}$. A simulation on |
34 |
< |
this length scale would have approximately 1,300 lipid molecules with |
35 |
< |
an additional 25 water molecules per lipid to fully solvate the |
36 |
< |
bilayer. A simulation of this size is impractical with current |
37 |
< |
atomistic models. |
29 |
> |
scales well beyond the range of current simulation technology. One |
30 |
> |
such example is the observance of a ripple phase |
31 |
> |
($P_{\beta^{\prime}}$) between the $L_{\beta}$ and $L_{\alpha}$ phases |
32 |
> |
of certain phospholipid bilayers.\cite{katsaras00,sengupta00} These |
33 |
> |
ripples are shown to have periodicity on the order of |
34 |
> |
100-200~$\mbox{\AA}$. A simulation on this length scale would have |
35 |
> |
approximately 1,300 lipid molecules with an additional 25 water |
36 |
> |
molecules per lipid to fully solvate the bilayer. A simulation of this |
37 |
> |
size is impractical with current atomistic models. |
38 |
|
|
39 |
< |
Another class of simulations to consider, are those dealing with the |
40 |
< |
diffusion of molecules through a bilayer. Due to the fluid-like |
41 |
< |
properties of a lipid membrane, not all diffusion across the membrane |
42 |
< |
happens at pores. Some molecules of interest may incorporate |
43 |
< |
themselves directly into the membrane. Once here, they may possess an |
44 |
< |
appreciable waiting time (on the order of 10's to 100's of |
45 |
< |
nanoseconds) within the bilayer. Such long simulation times are |
46 |
< |
difficulty to obtain when integrating the system with atomistic |
46 |
< |
detail. |
39 |
> |
The time and length scale limitations are most striking in transport |
40 |
> |
phenomena. Due to the fluid-like properties of a lipid membrane, not |
41 |
> |
all diffusion across the membrane happens at pores. Some molecules of |
42 |
> |
interest may incorporate themselves directly into the membrane. Once |
43 |
> |
here, they may possess an appreciable waiting time (on the order of |
44 |
> |
10's to 100's of nanoseconds) within the bilayer. Such long simulation |
45 |
> |
times are nearly impossible to obtain when integrating the system with |
46 |
> |
atomistic detail. |
47 |
|
|
48 |
< |
Addressing these issues, several schemes have been proposed. One |
48 |
> |
To address these issues, several schemes have been proposed. One |
49 |
|
approach by Goetz and Liposky\cite{goetz98} is to model the entire |
50 |
|
system as Lennard-Jones spheres. Phospholipids are represented by |
51 |
|
chains of beads with the top most beads identified as the head |
68 |
|
interactions small. What sets this model apart, however, is the use |
69 |
|
of dipoles to represent the electrostatic nature of the |
70 |
|
phospholipids. The dipole electrostatic interaction is shorter range |
71 |
< |
than Coulombic ($\frac{1}{r^3}$ versus $\frac{1}{r}$), eliminating the |
72 |
< |
need for a costly Ewald sum. |
71 |
> |
than Coulombic ($\frac{1}{r^3}$ versus $\frac{1}{r}$), and eliminates |
72 |
> |
the need for a costly Ewald sum. |
73 |
|
|
74 |
|
Another key feature of this model, is the use of a dipolar water model |
75 |
|
to represent the solvent. The soft sticky dipole ({\sc ssd}) water |
77 |
|
effects, but also contains a short range correction for hydrogen |
78 |
|
bonding. In this way the systems in this research mimic the entropic |
79 |
|
contribution to the hydrophobic effect due to hydrogen-bond network |
80 |
< |
deformation around a non-polar entity, \emph{i.e.}~the phospholipid. |
80 |
> |
deformation around a non-polar entity, \emph{i.e.}~the phospholipid |
81 |
> |
molecules. |
82 |
|
|
83 |
|
The following is an outline of this chapter. |
84 |
< |
Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:Methods} is an introduction to the lipid model |
85 |
< |
used in these simulations. As well as clarification about the water |
86 |
< |
model and integration techniques. The various simulation setups |
87 |
< |
explored in this research are outlined in |
88 |
< |
Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:ExpSetup}. Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:Results} and |
89 |
< |
Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:Discussion} give a summary of the results and |
90 |
< |
interpretation of those results respectively. Finally, the |
90 |
< |
conclusions of this chapter are presented in |
91 |
< |
Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:Conclusion}. |
84 |
> |
Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:Methods} is an introduction to the lipid model used |
85 |
> |
in these simulations, as well as clarification about the water model |
86 |
> |
and integration techniques. The various simulations explored in this |
87 |
> |
research are outlined in |
88 |
> |
Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:ExpSetup}. Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:resultsDis} gives a |
89 |
> |
summary and interpretation of the results. Finally, the conclusions |
90 |
> |
of this chapter are presented in Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:Conclusion}. |
91 |
|
|
92 |
|
\section{\label{lipidSec:Methods}Methods} |
93 |
|
|
108 |
|
contains a single dipole of magnitude $|\boldsymbol{\mu}|$, where |
109 |
|
$|\boldsymbol{\mu}|$ can be varied to mimic the charge separation of a |
110 |
|
given phospholipid head group. The atoms of the tail region are |
111 |
< |
modeled by unified atom beads. They are free of partial charges or |
112 |
< |
dipoles, containing only Lennard-Jones interaction sites at their |
113 |
< |
centers of mass. As with the head groups, their potentials can be |
114 |
< |
scaled by $\sigma_{\text{tail}}$ and $\epsilon_{\text{tail}}$. |
111 |
> |
modeled by beads representing multiple methyl groups. They are free |
112 |
> |
of partial charges or dipoles, and contain only Lennard-Jones |
113 |
> |
interaction sites at their centers of mass. As with the head groups, |
114 |
> |
their potentials can be scaled by $\sigma_{\text{tail}}$ and |
115 |
> |
$\epsilon_{\text{tail}}$. |
116 |
|
|
117 |
|
The long range interactions between lipids are given by the following: |
118 |
|
\begin{equation} |
129 |
|
\boldsymbol{\Omega}_{j}) = \frac{|\mu_i||\mu_j|}{4\pi\epsilon_{0}r_{ij}^{3}} \biggl[ |
130 |
|
\boldsymbol{\hat{u}}_{i} \cdot \boldsymbol{\hat{u}}_{j} |
131 |
|
- |
132 |
< |
\frac{3(\boldsymbol{\hat{u}}_i \cdot \mathbf{r}_{ij}) % |
133 |
< |
(\boldsymbol{\hat{u}}_j \cdot \mathbf{r}_{ij}) } |
134 |
< |
{r^{2}_{ij}} \biggr] |
132 |
> |
3(\boldsymbol{\hat{u}}_i \cdot \mathbf{\hat{r}}_{ij}) % |
133 |
> |
(\boldsymbol{\hat{u}}_j \cdot \mathbf{\hat{r}}_{ij} \biggr] |
134 |
|
\label{lipidEq:dipolePot} |
135 |
|
\end{equation} |
136 |
|
Where $V_{\text{LJ}}$ is the Lennard-Jones potential and |
139 |
|
parameters which scale the length and depth of the interaction |
140 |
|
respectively, and $r_{ij}$ is the distance between beads $i$ and $j$. |
141 |
|
In $V_{\text{dipole}}$, $\mathbf{r}_{ij}$ is the vector starting at |
142 |
< |
bead$i$ and pointing towards bead $j$. Vectors $\mathbf{\Omega}_i$ |
142 |
> |
bead $i$ and pointing towards bead $j$. Vectors $\mathbf{\Omega}_i$ |
143 |
|
and $\mathbf{\Omega}_j$ are the orientational degrees of freedom for |
144 |
|
beads $i$ and $j$. $|\mu_i|$ is the magnitude of the dipole moment of |
145 |
|
$i$, and $\boldsymbol{\hat{u}}_i$ is the standard unit orientation |
146 |
< |
vector of $\boldsymbol{\Omega}_i$. |
146 |
> |
vector rotated with euler angles: $\boldsymbol{\Omega}_i$. |
147 |
|
|
148 |
|
The model also allows for the bonded interactions bends, and torsions. |
149 |
|
The bond between two beads on a chain is of fixed length, and is |
158 |
|
(Fig.~\ref{lipidFig:lipidModel}). In addition, we have placed a |
159 |
|
``ghost'' bend on the phospholipid head. The ghost bend adds a |
160 |
|
potential to keep the dipole pointed along the bilayer surface, where |
161 |
< |
$theta$ is now the angle the dipole makes with respect to the {\sc |
162 |
< |
head}-$\text{{\sc ch}}_2$ bond vector. The torsion potential is given |
163 |
< |
by: |
161 |
> |
$\theta$ is now the angle the dipole makes with respect to the {\sc |
162 |
> |
head}-$\text{{\sc ch}}_2$ bond vector |
163 |
> |
(Fig.~\ref{lipidFig:ghostBend}). The torsion potential is given by: |
164 |
|
\begin{equation} |
165 |
|
V_{\text{torsion}}(\phi) = |
166 |
|
k_3 \cos^3 \phi + k_2 \cos^2 \phi + k_1 \cos \phi + k_0 |
174 |
|
same bond, bend, or torsion. However, internal interactions not |
175 |
|
directly involved in a bonded pair are calculated. |
176 |
|
|
177 |
+ |
\begin{figure} |
178 |
+ |
\centering |
179 |
+ |
\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{ghostBendFig.eps} |
180 |
+ |
\caption[Depiction of the ``ghost'' bend]{The ``ghost'' bend is a bend potential added to constrain the motion of the dipole on the {\sc head} group. The potential follows Eq.~\ref{lipidEq:bendPot} where $\theta$ is now the angle that the dipole makes with the {\sc head}-$\text{{\sc ch}}_2$ bond vector.} |
181 |
+ |
\label{lipidFig:ghostBend} |
182 |
+ |
\end{figure} |
183 |
+ |
|
184 |
|
All simulations presented here use a two chained lipid as pictured in |
185 |
|
Fig.~\ref{lipidFig:lipidModel}. The chains are both eight beads long, |
186 |
|
and their mass and Lennard Jones parameters are summarized in |
265 |
|
estimate for the number of waters each lipid would displace in a |
266 |
|
simulation box. A target number of waters was then defined which |
267 |
|
included the number of waters each lipid would displace, the number of |
268 |
< |
waters desired to solvate each lipid, and a fudge factor to pad the |
269 |
< |
initialization. |
268 |
> |
waters desired to solvate each lipid, and a factor to pad the |
269 |
> |
initial box with a few extra water molecules. |
270 |
|
|
271 |
|
Next, a cubic simulation box was created that contained at least the |
272 |
|
target number of waters in an FCC lattice (the lattice was for ease of |
273 |
|
placement). What followed was a RSA simulation similar to those of |
274 |
|
Chapt.~\ref{chapt:RSA}. The lipids were sequentially given a random |
275 |
|
position and orientation within the box. If a lipid's position caused |
276 |
< |
atomic overlap with any previously adsorbed lipid, its position and |
277 |
< |
orientation were rejected, and a new random adsorption site was |
276 |
> |
atomic overlap with any previously placed lipid, its position and |
277 |
> |
orientation were rejected, and a new random placement site was |
278 |
|
attempted. The RSA simulation proceeded until all phospholipids had |
279 |
< |
been adsorbed. After adsorption, all water molecules with locations |
280 |
< |
that overlapped with the atomic coordinates of the lipids were |
281 |
< |
removed. |
279 |
> |
been adsorbed. After placement of all lipid molecules, water |
280 |
> |
molecules with locations that overlapped with the atomic coordinates |
281 |
> |
of the lipids were removed. |
282 |
|
|
283 |
< |
Finally, water molecules were removed one by one at random until the |
284 |
< |
desired number of waters per lipid was reached. The typical low final |
285 |
< |
density for these initial configurations was not a problem, as the box |
286 |
< |
would shrink to an appropriate size within the first 50~ps of a |
287 |
< |
simulation in the $\text{NPT}_{xyz}$ ensemble. |
283 |
> |
Finally, water molecules were removed at random until the desired |
284 |
> |
number of waters per lipid was reached. The typical low final density |
285 |
> |
for these initial configurations was not a problem, as the box shrinks |
286 |
> |
to an appropriate size within the first 50~ps of a simulation in the |
287 |
> |
$\text{NPT}_{xyz}$ ensemble. |
288 |
|
|
289 |
< |
\subsection{\label{lipidSec:Configs}The simulation configurations} |
289 |
> |
\subsection{\label{lipidSec:Configs}Configurations} |
290 |
|
|
291 |
< |
Table ~\ref{lipidTable:simNames} summarizes the names and important |
292 |
< |
details of the simulations. The B set of simulations were all started |
293 |
< |
in an ordered bilayer and observed over a period of 10~ns. Simulation |
294 |
< |
RL was integrated for approximately 20~ns starting from a random |
295 |
< |
configuration as an example of spontaneous bilayer aggregation. |
296 |
< |
Lastly, simulation RH was also started from a random configuration, |
297 |
< |
but with a lesser water content and higher temperature to show the |
298 |
< |
spontaneous aggregation of an inverted hexagonal lamellar phase. |
291 |
> |
The first class of simulations were started from ordered |
292 |
> |
bilayers. They were all configurations consisting of 60 lipid |
293 |
> |
molecules with 30 lipids on each leaf, and were hydrated with 1620 |
294 |
> |
{\sc ssd} molecules. The original configuration was assembled |
295 |
> |
according to Sec.~\ref{lipidSec:ExpSetup} and simulated for a length |
296 |
> |
of 10~ns at 300~K. The other temperature runs were started from a |
297 |
> |
frame 7~ns into the 300~K simulation. Their temperatures were reset |
298 |
> |
with the thermostating algorithm in the $\text{NPT}_{xyz}$ |
299 |
> |
integrator. All of the temperature variants were also run for 10~ns, |
300 |
> |
with only the last 5~ns being used for accumulation of statistics. |
301 |
> |
|
302 |
> |
The second class of simulations were two configurations started from |
303 |
> |
randomly dispersed lipids in a ``gas'' of water. The first |
304 |
> |
($\text{R}_{\text{I}}$) was a simulation containing 72 lipids with |
305 |
> |
1800 {\sc ssd} molecules simulated at 300~K. The second |
306 |
> |
($\text{R}_{\text{II}}$) was 90 lipids with 1350 {\sc ssd} molecules |
307 |
> |
simulated at 350~K. Both simulations were integrated for more than |
308 |
> |
20~ns, and illustrate the spontaneous aggregation of the lipid model |
309 |
> |
into phospholipid macrostructures: $\text{R}_{\text{I}}$ into a |
310 |
> |
bilayer, and $\text{R}_{\text{II}}$ into a inverted rod. |
311 |
> |
|
312 |
> |
\section{\label{lipidSec:resultsDis}Results and Discussion} |
313 |
> |
|
314 |
> |
\subsection{\label{lipidSec:diffusion}Lateral Diffusion Constants} |
315 |
> |
|
316 |
> |
The lateral diffusion constant, $D_L$, is the constant charecterizing |
317 |
> |
the diffusive motion of the lipid within the plane of the bilayer. It |
318 |
> |
is given by the following Einstein relation valid at long |
319 |
> |
times:\cite{allen87:csl} |
320 |
> |
\begin{equation} |
321 |
> |
2tD_L = \frac{1}{2}\langle |\mathbf{r}(t) - \mathbf{r}(0)|^2\rangle |
322 |
> |
\end{equation} |
323 |
> |
Where $\mathbf{r}(t)$ is the position of the lipid at time $t$, and is |
324 |
> |
constrained to lie within a plane. For the bilayer simulations the |
325 |
> |
plane of constrained motion was that perpindicular to the bilayer |
326 |
> |
normal, namely the $xy$-plane. |
327 |
> |
|
328 |
> |
Fig.~\ref{lipidFig:diffusionFig} shows the lateral diffusion constants |
329 |
> |
as a function of temperature. There is a definite increase in the |
330 |
> |
lateral diffusion with higher temperatures, which is exactly what one |
331 |
> |
would expect with greater fluidity of the chains. However, the |
332 |
> |
diffusion constants are all two orders of magnitude smaller than those |
333 |
> |
typical of DPPC.\cite{Cevc87} This is counter-intuitive as the DPPC |
334 |
> |
molecule is sterically larger and heavier than our model. This could |
335 |
> |
be an indication that our model's chains are too interwoven and hinder |
336 |
> |
the motion of the lipid, or that a simplification in the model's |
337 |
> |
forces has led to a slowing of diffusive behaviour within the |
338 |
> |
bilayer. In contrast, the diffusion constant of the {\sc ssd} water, |
339 |
> |
$9.84\times 10^{-6}\,\text{cm}^2/\text{s}$, compares favorably with |
340 |
> |
that of bulk water. |
341 |
> |
|
342 |
> |
\begin{figure} |
343 |
> |
\centering |
344 |
> |
\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{diffusionFig.eps} |
345 |
> |
\caption[The lateral difusion constants versus temperature]{The lateral diffusion constants for the bilayers as a function of temperature.} |
346 |
> |
\label{lipidFig:diffusionFig} |
347 |
> |
\end{figure} |
348 |
> |
|
349 |
> |
\subsection{\label{lipidSec:densProf}Density Profile} |
350 |
> |
|
351 |
> |
Fig.~\ref{lipidFig:densityProfile} illustrates the densities of the |
352 |
> |
atoms in the bilayer systems normailzed by the bulk density as a |
353 |
> |
function of distance from the center of the box. The profile is taken |
354 |
> |
along the bilayer normal, in this case the $z$ axis. The profile at |
355 |
> |
270~K shows several structural features that are largerly smoothed out |
356 |
> |
by 300~K. The left peak for the {\sc head} atoms is split at 270~K, |
357 |
> |
implying that some freezing of the structure might already be occuring |
358 |
> |
at this temperature. From the dynamics, the tails at this temperature |
359 |
> |
are very much fluid, but the profile could indicate that a phase |
360 |
> |
transition may simply be beyond the length scale of the current |
361 |
> |
simulation. In all profiles, the water penetrates almost |
362 |
> |
5~$\mbox{\AA}$ into the bilayer, completely solvating the {\sc head} |
363 |
> |
atoms. The $\text{{\sc ch}}_3$ atoms although mainly centered at the |
364 |
> |
middle of the bilayer, show appreciable penetration into the head |
365 |
> |
group region. This indicates that the chains have enough mobility to |
366 |
> |
bend back upward to allow the ends to explore areas around the {\sc |
367 |
> |
head} atoms. It is unlikely that this is penetration from a lipid of |
368 |
> |
the opposite face, as the lipids are only 12~$\mbox{\AA}$ in length, |
369 |
> |
and the typical leaf spacing as measured from the {\sc head-head} |
370 |
> |
spacing in the profile is 17.5~$\mbox{\AA}$. |
371 |
> |
|
372 |
> |
\begin{figure} |
373 |
> |
\centering |
374 |
> |
\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{densityProfile.eps} |
375 |
> |
\caption[The density profile of the lipid bilayers]{The density profile of the lipid bilayers along the bilayer normal. The black lines are the {\sc head} atoms, red lines are the {\sc ch} atoms, green lines are the $\text{{\sc ch}}_2$ atoms, blue lines are the $\text{{\sc ch}}_3$ atoms, and the magenta lines are the {\sc ssd} atoms.} |
376 |
> |
\label{lipidFig:densityProfile} |
377 |
> |
\end{figure} |
378 |
> |
|
379 |
> |
|
380 |
> |
\subsection{\label{lipidSec:scd}$\text{S}_{\text{{\sc cd}}}$ Order Parameters} |
381 |
> |
|
382 |
> |
The $\text{S}_{\text{{\sc cd}}}$ order parameter is often reported in |
383 |
> |
the experimental charecterizations of phospholipids. It is obtained |
384 |
> |
through deuterium NMR, and measures the ordering of the carbon |
385 |
> |
deuterium bond in relation to the bilayer normal at various points |
386 |
> |
along the chains. In our model, there are no explicit hydrogens, but |
387 |
> |
the order parameter can be written in terms of the carbon ordering at |
388 |
> |
each point in the chain:\cite{egberts88} |
389 |
> |
\begin{equation} |
390 |
> |
S_{\text{{\sc cd}}} = \frac{2}{3}S_{xx} + \frac{1}{3}S_{yy} |
391 |
> |
\label{lipidEq:scd1} |
392 |
> |
\end{equation} |
393 |
> |
Where $S_{ij}$ is given by: |
394 |
> |
\begin{equation} |
395 |
> |
S_{ij} = \frac{1}{2}\Bigl\langle(3\cos\Theta_i\cos\Theta_j |
396 |
> |
- \delta_{ij})\Bigr\rangle |
397 |
> |
\label{lipidEq:scd2} |
398 |
> |
\end{equation} |
399 |
> |
Here, $\Theta_i$ is the angle the $i$th axis in the reference frame of |
400 |
> |
the carbon atom makes with the bilayer normal. The brackets denote an |
401 |
> |
average over time and molecules. The carbon atom axes are defined: |
402 |
> |
$\mathbf{\hat{z}}\rightarrow$ vector from $C_{n-1}$ to $C_{n+1}$; |
403 |
> |
$\mathbf{\hat{y}}\rightarrow$ vector that is perpindicular to $z$ and |
404 |
> |
in the plane through $C_{n-1}$, $C_{n}$, and $C_{n+1}$; |
405 |
> |
$\mathbf{\hat{x}}\rightarrow$ vector perpindicular to |
406 |
> |
$\mathbf{\hat{y}}$ and $\mathbf{\hat{z}}$. |
407 |
> |
|
408 |
> |
The order parameter has a range of $[1,-\frac{1}{2}]$. A value of 1 |
409 |
> |
implies full order aligned to the bilayer axis, 0 implies full |
410 |
> |
disorder, and $-\frac{1}{2}$ implies full order perpindicular to the |
411 |
> |
bilayer axis. The {\sc cd} bond vector for carbons near the head group |
412 |
> |
are usually ordered perpindicular to the bilayer normal, with tails |
413 |
> |
farther away tending toward disorder. This makes the order paramter |
414 |
> |
negative for most carbons, and as such $|S_{\text{{\sc cd}}}|$ is more |
415 |
> |
commonly reported than $S_{\text{{\sc cd}}}$. |
416 |
> |
|
417 |
> |
Fig.~\ref{lipidFig:scdFig} shows the $S_{\text{{\sc cd}}}$ order |
418 |
> |
parameters for the bilayer system at 300~K. There is no appreciable |
419 |
> |
difference in the plots for the various temperatures, however, there |
420 |
> |
is a larger difference between our models ordering, and that of |
421 |
> |
DMPC. As our values are closer to $-\frac{1}{2}$, this implies more |
422 |
> |
ordering perpindicular to the normal than in a real system. This is |
423 |
> |
due to the model having only one carbon group separating the chains |
424 |
> |
from the top of the lipid. In DMPC, with the flexibility inherent in a |
425 |
> |
multiple atom head group, as well as a glycerol linkage between the |
426 |
> |
head group and the acyl chains, there is more loss of ordering by the |
427 |
> |
point when the chains start. |
428 |
> |
|
429 |
> |
\begin{figure} |
430 |
> |
\centering |
431 |
> |
\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{scdFig.eps} |
432 |
> |
\caption[$\text{S}_{\text{{\sc cd}}}$ order parameter for our model]{A comparison of $|\text{S}_{\text{{\sc cd}}}|$ between our model (blue) and DMPC\cite{petrache00} (black) near 300~K.} |
433 |
> |
\label{lipidFig:scdFig} |
434 |
> |
\end{figure} |
435 |
> |
|
436 |
> |
|
437 |
> |
|
438 |
> |
|
439 |
> |
|
440 |
> |
\begin{table} |
441 |
> |
\caption[Structural properties of the bilayers]{Bilayer Structural properties as a function of temperature.} |
442 |
> |
\begin{center} |
443 |
> |
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|} |
444 |
> |
\hline |
445 |
> |
Temperature (K) & $\langle L_{\perp}\rangle$ ($\mbox{\AA}$) & % |
446 |
> |
$\langle A_{\parallel}\rangle$ ($\mbox{\AA}^2$) & % |
447 |
> |
$\langle P_2\rangle_{\text{Lipid}}$ & % |
448 |
> |
$\langle P_2\rangle_{\text{{\sc head}}}$ \\ \hline |
449 |
> |
270 & 18.1 & 58.1 & 0.253 & 0.494 \\ \hline |
450 |
> |
275 & 17.2 & 56.7 & 0.295 & 0.514 \\ \hline |
451 |
> |
277 & 16.9 & 58.0 & 0.301 & 0.541 \\ \hline |
452 |
> |
280 & 17.4 & 58.0 & 0.274 & 0.488 \\ \hline |
453 |
> |
285 & 16.9 & 57.6 & 0.270 & 0.616 \\ \hline |
454 |
> |
290 & 17.0 & 57.6 & 0.263 & 0.534 \\ \hline |
455 |
> |
293 & 17.5 & 58.0 & 0.227 & 0.643 \\ \hline |
456 |
> |
300 & 16.9 & 57.6 & 0.315 & 0.536 \\ \hline |
457 |
> |
\end{tabular} |
458 |
> |
\end{center} |
459 |
> |
\end{table} |