The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid area

Biomolecular simulations are increasingly being used to generate detailed structural models to aid interpretation of neutron reflectometry (NR) data obtained from model biological membranes. Unlike globular systems, often studied by small-angle scattering, simulations of two-dimensional layers are s...

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Main Authors: Arwel V. Hughes, Valeria Losasso, Martyn Winn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Royal Society 2025-03-01
Series:Royal Society Open Science
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Online Access:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241727
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author Arwel V. Hughes
Valeria Losasso
Martyn Winn
author_facet Arwel V. Hughes
Valeria Losasso
Martyn Winn
author_sort Arwel V. Hughes
collection DOAJ
description Biomolecular simulations are increasingly being used to generate detailed structural models to aid interpretation of neutron reflectometry (NR) data obtained from model biological membranes. Unlike globular systems, often studied by small-angle scattering, simulations of two-dimensional layers are sensitive to the simulation cell used which constrains the system laterally. We perform a careful analysis of NR data obtained from a monolayer of the lipid distearoylphosphatidylcholine at the air–water interface and show that the fit of number density profiles obtained from atomistic molecular dynamics simulation to the experimental data is very sensitive to the assumed area per lipid (APL). We propose a protocol for obtaining a realistic isotherm by combining the experimental surface pressure corresponding to a reflectometry measurement with an APL obtained from the simulation that best fits that data. Finally, we demonstrate how downstream interpretation of the experimental sample, derived from structural and dynamic properties of the atomistic model, depends strongly on the correct choice of simulation cell.
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spelling doaj-art-52db60ed2a3c4e4cbedec75fa937fa2a2025-08-20T02:56:39ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032025-03-0112310.1098/rsos.241727The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid areaArwel V. Hughes0Valeria Losasso1Martyn Winn2ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 OQX, UKScience and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, UKScience and Technology Facilities Council, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0FA, UKBiomolecular simulations are increasingly being used to generate detailed structural models to aid interpretation of neutron reflectometry (NR) data obtained from model biological membranes. Unlike globular systems, often studied by small-angle scattering, simulations of two-dimensional layers are sensitive to the simulation cell used which constrains the system laterally. We perform a careful analysis of NR data obtained from a monolayer of the lipid distearoylphosphatidylcholine at the air–water interface and show that the fit of number density profiles obtained from atomistic molecular dynamics simulation to the experimental data is very sensitive to the assumed area per lipid (APL). We propose a protocol for obtaining a realistic isotherm by combining the experimental surface pressure corresponding to a reflectometry measurement with an APL obtained from the simulation that best fits that data. Finally, we demonstrate how downstream interpretation of the experimental sample, derived from structural and dynamic properties of the atomistic model, depends strongly on the correct choice of simulation cell.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241727neutron reflectivitylipid layersmolecular dynamics
spellingShingle Arwel V. Hughes
Valeria Losasso
Martyn Winn
The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid area
Royal Society Open Science
neutron reflectivity
lipid layers
molecular dynamics
title The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid area
title_full The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid area
title_fullStr The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid area
title_full_unstemmed The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid area
title_short The analysis of neutron reflectivity from Langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of lipid area
title_sort analysis of neutron reflectivity from langmuir monolayers of lipids using molecular dynamics simulations the role of lipid area
topic neutron reflectivity
lipid layers
molecular dynamics
url https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241727
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