Ganglioside GD1a generates domains of high curvature in phosphatidylethanolamine liposomes as determined by solid state 31P-NMR spectroscopy.

We have studied the effects of gangliosides on the polymorphic behaviour of phosphatidylethanolamines. The ganglioside GD1a promotes the formation of phases which give rise to isotropic 31P-NMR resonance lines, particularly in the temperature range of the L alpha to HII transition. In addition, higher mol fractions of ganglioside raise the L alpha to HII phase transition temperature. Our results demonstrate that small mol fractions of gangliosides can have profound effects on the molecular organization of phosphatidylethanolamines.