title: Turbidity changes of lipid vesicles near the phase transition temperature as an indication of fusion.
abstract: Sonicated liposomes of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine show sharp turbidity changes on heating at two distinct temperatures. A decrease in turbidity at the lower temperature (approx. 37degrees C) is thought to be associated with the phase transition of small vesicles and a decrease at about 44 degrees C with larger vesicles or multilayer. An increase of turbidity between 38 and 43 degrees C is attributed to the fusion of small vesicles. The turbidity changes were studied under various modes of vesicle preparation to confirm the interpretation of the turbidity data. Alternate interpretations are discussed.
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008081:Liposomes; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D010743:Phospholipids; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D010743:Phospholipids