Application of small-angle neutron diffraction to the localization of general anesthetics in model membranes

We set out to explore the applicability of small-angle neutron diffraction (SAND) to the localization of biomembrane components by studying the general anesthetic n-decane in a model lipid bilayer system composed of dioleoyl-phosphocholine (DOPC). Samples in the form of planar membrane multilayers were hydrated by varied mixtures of deuterated and protonated water, and examined by the means of SAND. Neutron scattering length density (NSLD) profiles of the system were then reconstructed from the experimental data. We exploited the significantly different neutron scattering properties of hydrogen and deuterium atoms via labeling in addition to water contrast variation. Enhancing the signals from particular components of bilayer system led to a set of characteristic membrane profiles and from their comparison we localized n-decane molecules unequivocally in the bilayer's hydrocarbon chain region.