Influence of trehalose on the structure of unilamellar DMPC vesicles

The influence of trehalose on the structure and properties of unilamellar (ULVs) and multilamellar (MLVs) dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles was studied using neutron and X-ray scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Trehalose solutions ranging from 0 to 30% (w/w) have been used. It was found that trehalose increases the main phase transition temperature of the MLVs, but has no influence on the main phase transition temperature of the ULVs. In the liquid crystalline phase, the DMPC membrane thickness decreases by a value of 3.1 إ at 20% trehalose. termembrane space increases by a value of about 26 إ at 30% trehalose. Due to the X-ray contrast variation caused by trehalose, it was possible to measure the thickness of the DMPC hydrocarbon chains directly by using X-ray scattering.