Free-energy analysis of the molecular binding into lipid membrane with the method of energy representation

Nobuyuki Matubayasi, Wataru Shinoda, Masaru Nakahara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A statistical-mechanical treatment of the molecular binding into lipid membrane is presented in combination with molecular simulation. The membrane solution is viewed as an inhomogeneous, mixed solvent system, and the free energy of solvation of a solute in membrane is computed with a realistic set of potential functions by the method of energy representation. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, benzene, and ethylbenzene are adopted as model solutes to analyze the binding into 1,2-dimyristoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) membrane. It is shown that the membrane inside is more favorable than bulk water and that the solute distribution is diffuse throughout the membrane inside. The membrane-water partition coefficient is then constructed with the help of the Kirkwood-Buff theory from the solvation free energy obtained separately in the hydrophobic, glycerol, headgroup, and aqueous regions. To discuss the role of repulsive and attractive interactions, the solvation free energy is partitioned into the DMPC and water contributions and the effect of water to stabilize the benzene and ethylbenzene solutes within the membrane is pointed out.

Original languageEnglish
Article number195107
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume128
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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