Rectangular solid domains in ceramide-cholesterol monolayers - 2D crystals

Very small rectangular domains were observed by atomic force microscopy in binary monolayers of synthetic ceramides and cholesterol. When the choleste rol content is increased the domains are bigger although the rectangular sh ape is retained. The almost perfect shape of the domains indicates two-dime nsional single ceramide crystals. Lipid domains in monolayers of this parti cular shape and size have to our knowledge not been reported in the literat ure previously. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.