Ollmann M, Galla H J
FEBS Lett. 1985 Jan 1;179(1):173-6. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(85)80214-3.
The effect of oligosaccharide carrying lipids on membrane fluidity has been investigated. Gangliosides GM1 and GQ1 were reconstituted into phosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes at low concentrations (less than 5 mol%). A strong fluidizing effect was observed leading to a suppression of the phase transition temperature. This was most pronounced with highly sialylated gangliosides. Ca2+ reverses the effect due to phase separation phenomena. We assume a hydrophilic lipid-lipid interaction in accordance with previously studied glycoprotein-lipid interactions.
