Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to characterize the equilibrium size, shape, hydration, and self-assembly of dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) and dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM) micelles. We show that DPC molecules self-assemble to form micelles with sizes within the range reported in the experimental literature. The equilibrium shape of DPC and DDM micelles as well as associated micellar radii are in agreement with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments and theoretical packing parameters. In addition, we show that hydration of the micelle interior is limited; however, flexibility of the acyl chains leads to dynamic encounters with the solvated outer shell of the micelle, providing an explanation for long-standing differences in models of micelle hydration. Altogether, our results provide fundamental understanding of physical characteristics of micelles that can be utilized to study other types of detergents and proteomicelle complexes.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 9934-9943 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Langmuir |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 38 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 26 2017 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We would like to thank Jochen Hub, Alan Grossfield, Tod Romo, and Martin McCullagh for useful conversations in helping us analyze simulation results. The authors also thank the West Virginia University High Performance Computing shared facility for providing computing resources. B.B., C.A.S., A.H., D.G., and E.H. were supported through the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium and Fairmont State University. B.M. and S.F. were supported through startup funds from West Virginia University.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Chemical Society.