ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Neutron Reflection Studies for the Effect of Sphingosine Methylation on the Structure of Phospholipid Membranes at the Solid/Liquid Interface

Abstract: Sphingosine serves as the fundamental structure of sphingolipids, crucial components of cell membranes. The distinctive physiological functions attributed to sphingosine likely stem from its capacity to establish hydrogen bonds within phospholipid bilayers, thereby engendering unique membrane structures. Despite its significance, the specifics of sphingosine interaction with phospholipid membranes and its distribution remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we have methylated each hydroxyl group of sphingosine to modify its hydrogen bonding capabilities and alter its scattering length density through the introduction of deuterated chains. Our approach aims to utilize NR to discern the positioning and orientation of sphingosine within lipid bilayers across different methylation positions. This investigation promises insights into how hydrogen bonding with sphingosine influences its distribution within membranes and the underlying mechanisms governing its physiological functions.

Principal Investigator: Dr Peixun Li
Local Contact: Dr Oleksandr Tomchuk
Local Contact: Dr John Webster
Experimenter: Dr Stephen Hall
Experimenter: Dr Yao Chen
Experimenter: Dr Kun Ma
Experimenter: Dr Zi Wang

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2510100

ISIS Experiment Number: RB2510100

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
Select the data format above to find out more about it.

Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Peixun Li et al; (2025): Neutron Reflection Studies for the Effect of Sphingosine Methylation on the Structure of Phospholipid Membranes at the Solid/Liquid Interface, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2510100

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.