DNA Hybridization-Mediated Liposome Fusion at the Aqueous Liquid Crystal Interface.

ABSTRACT: The prominence of receptor-mediated bilayer fusion in cellular biology motivates development of biomimetic strategies for studying fusogenic mechanisms. An approach is reported here for monitoring receptor-mediated fusion that exploits the unique physical and optical properties of liquid crystals (LC). PEG-functionalized lipids are used to create an interfacial environment capable of inhibiting spontaneous liposome fusion with an aqueous/LC interface. Then, DNA hybridization between oligonucleotides within bulk phase liposomes and a PEG-lipid monolayer at an aqueous/LC interface is exploited to induce receptor-mediated liposome fusion. These hybridization events induce strain within the liposome bilayer, promote lipid mixing with the LC interface, and consequently create an interfacial env

SUBMITTER: Noonan PS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4262931 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature