Formation of Giant Unilamellar Proteo-Liposomes by Osmotic Shock.

ABSTRACT: Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), composed of a phospholipid bilayer, are often used as a model system for cell membranes. However, the study of proteo-membrane interactions in this system is limited as the incorporation of integral and lipid-anchored proteins into GUVs remains challenging. Here, we present a simple generic method to incorporate proteins into GUVs. The basic principle is to break proteo-liposomes with an osmotic shock. They subsequently reseal into larger vesicles which, if necessary, can endure the same to obtain even larger proteo-GUVs. This process does not require specific lipids or reagents, works under physiological conditions with high concentrations of protein, the proteins remains functional after incorporation. The resulting proteo-GUVs can be micromanipulated.

SUBMITTER: Motta I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4950989 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature