title: Dynamic light scattering study of calcium-induced fusion in phospholipid vesicles.
abstract: Acidic sonicated phospholipid vesicles can undergo dramatic morphological changes due to fusion in the presence of divalent metal ions. For example, small spherical phosphatidylserine vesicles can form scroll-like cylinders which precipitate in the presence of Ca2+ above a threshold concentration. Subsequent addition of EDTA will yield large, unilamellar vesicles. These events have previously been established through the combined use of differential scanning calorimetry and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. We have applied the technique of dynamic light scattering to follow these fusion events rapidly, accurately, and non-perturbatively as they occur in solution at calcium concentrations slightly below threshold for precipitation.
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004492:Edetic Acid; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008954:Models, Biological; D010743:Phospholipids; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010743:Phospholipids; D004492:Edetic Acid; D002118:Calcium