The impact of a carbon nanotube on the cholesterol domain localized on a protein surface

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to show how a single-walled carbon nanotube significantly disrupts cholesterol domains on a protein surface, potentially affecting biological processes.

Contribution

It demonstrates the novel effect of carbon nanotubes on cholesterol domain structure on proteins using detailed molecular dynamics analysis.

Findings

Carbon nanotube reduces cholesterol domain volume on protein surface

Cholesterol molecules are dragged out by the nanotube

Significant structural impact observed on cholesterol clusters

Abstract

The influence of a single walled carbon nanotube on the structure of a cholesterol cluster (domain) developed over the surface of the endothelial protein 1LQV has been investigated using the classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique. We have observed a substantial impact of carbon nanotube on the arrangement of the cholesterol domain. The carbon nanotube can drag out cholesterol molecules, remarkable reducing the volume of the domain settled down on the protein.