Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry of Single Giant Unilamellar Vesicles Reveals Compositional Variability.

ABSTRACT: Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are a widely used model system to interrogate lipid phase behavior, study biomembrane mechanics, reconstitute membrane proteins, and provide a chassis for synthetic cells. It is generally assumed that the composition of individual GUVs is the same as the nominal stock composition; however, there may be significant compositional variability between individual GUVs. Although this compositional heterogeneity likely impacts phase behavior, the function and incorporation of membrane proteins, and the encapsulation of biochemical reactions, it has yet to be directly quantified. To assess heterogeneity, we use secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to probe the composition of individual GUVs using non-perturbing isotopic labels. Both ¹³C- and ²

SUBMITTER: Grusky DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10904076 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature