Which molecule would be suitable as a cell membrane model system? Experiments should be performed in aqueous solutions; therefore, molecules like phosphatidylcholines are not suitable because of poor solubility. Of course, the molecule should be commercially available. My idea, for example, is lauryl phosphate (dodecyl phosphate), sodium salt. Does anyone have a better suggestion?
Dear Milan Vranes ,
I am a bit confused about your question. You argue that you need a substance that is soluble in water but SDS is a detergent that reaches its CMC already at 8.2 mM so it is normally present as a micelle.
As a rough estimate SDS is often used as a membrane mimicking substance since it has both features (in micelle form) of a membrane: a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic (in this case negatively charged) surface area. However effects like alpha helix induction/promotion (often seen with peptides) unrelated to the 'natural' environent have been noted using SDS.
See for an interesting paper about membrane mimicking environments (and its uses):
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269401362_Membrane_mimicking_environments_used_for_membrane_proteins%27_studies_Review
Best regards.
BCS Class I molecules could be explored for water based systems and BCS Class II can be explored for solvent based system.
Dear colleagues, thank you for your suggestions. What do you think of miltefosine as a model system? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miltefosine
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