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Lipid-polyethylene glycol interactions: I. Induction of fusion between liposomes

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Summary

Fusion between unilamellar vesicles of both egg phosphatidylcholine and bovine phosphatidylserine was induced by polyethylene glycol. Aggregation and fusion events were monitored by electron microscopy and turbidity measurements. The threshold concentration of polyethylene glycol for aggregation and fusion is found to be independent of lipid concentration. Typically, aggregation of phosphatidylcholine vesicles starts at 2.5% (wt/wt) polyethylene glycol, but fusion is not significant until the polyethylene glycol concentration reaches 35%. Multilamellar vesicles were formed as a result of fusion.

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Abbreviations

PEG:

Polyethylene glycol

IMP:

Intramembranous particle

PC:

Phosphatidylcholine

PS:

Phosphatidylserine

SUV:

Small unilamellar vesicles

MLV:

Multilamellar vesicles

DPPC:

Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine

DSC:

Differential scanning calorimetry

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, 14263, Buffalo, New York

    L. T. Boni, T. P. Stewart, J. L. Alderfer & S. W. Hui

Authors
  1. L. T. Boni
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  2. T. P. Stewart
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  3. J. L. Alderfer
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  4. S. W. Hui
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Boni, L.T., Stewart, T.P., Alderfer, J.L. et al. Lipid-polyethylene glycol interactions: I. Induction of fusion between liposomes. J. Membrain Biol. 62, 65–70 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870200

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01870200

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