Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Siepi E
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3093559 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Siepi Evgenios E Lutz Silke S Meyer Sylke S Panzner Steffen S
Biophysical journal 20110501 10
Here we identify the recruitment of solvent ions to lipid membranes as the dominant regulator of lipid phase behavior. Our data demonstrate that binding of counterions to charged lipids promotes the formation of lamellar membranes, whereas their absence can induce fusion. The mechanism applies to anionic and cationic liposomes, as well as the recently introduced amphoteric liposomes. In the latter, an additional pH-dependent lipid salt formation between anionic and cationic lipids must occur, as ...[more]