Giant unilamellar vesicle formation under physiologically relevant conditions

Chem Phys Lipids. 2008 Aug;154(2):115-9. doi: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2008.03.008. Epub 2008 Mar 22.

Abstract

We present an upgrade to the giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) electroformation method allowing easy GUV production in different buffers and with various membrane compositions. Our experimental results reveal that lipid deposits obtained from aqueous liposome or proteoliposome dispersions are highly efficient for GUV electroformation. This is related to the ability of such dispersions to produce readily well-oriented membrane stacks. Furthermore, we present a protocol for GUV electroformation in various aqueous media, including electrolyte-containing buffers at characteristic concentrations of biological fluids. This work unlocks historical barriers to GUV applications in scientific fields like biology, biochemistry, or biophysics where membrane composition, as well as its aqueous environment, should be adapted to biological significance.

MeSH terms

  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Unilamellar Liposomes / chemical synthesis*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Liposomes
  • Unilamellar Liposomes