RT Journal Article T1 Thermomechanical Transitions of Egg-Ceramide Monolayers A1 Catapano, Elisa R. A1 Lillo, M. P. A1 García Rodríguez, C. A1 Natale, Paolo A1 Langevin, D. A1 Monroy Muñoz, Francisco A1 López-Montero, Iván AB Ceramides have unique biophysical properties. Their high melting temperature and their ability to form lateral domains have converted ceramides into the paradigm of rigid lipids. Here, using shear surface rheology of egg-ceramide Langmuir monolayers, a solid to fluid transition was evidenced as a vanishing shear rigidity at lower temperatures than the lipid melting temperature. Such a mechanical transition, which depends on the lipid lateral pressure, was found in a broad range temperature (40−50 °C). The solid to fluid transition was correlated to a LC to LC+LE phase transition, as confirmed by BAM experiments. Interestingly, together with the softening transition, a supercooling process compatible with a glassy behavior was found upon freezing. A new phase scenario is then depicted that broadens the mechanical behavior of natural ceramides. The phase diversity of ceramides might have important implications in their physiological roles. PB American Chemical Society SN 0743-7463 YR 2015 FD 2015 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/34193 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/34193 LA eng NO The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (ERC grant agreement n° 338133) NO Unión Europea. FP7 NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) NO Comunidad de Madrid DS Docta Complutense RD 9 abr 2025