title: An ion switch regulates fusion of charged membranes.
abstract: 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 indicated by the depletion of membrane-bound ions in a zone around pH 5. Amphoteric liposomes fuse under these conditions but form lamellar structures at both lower and higher pH values. The integration of these observations into the classic lipid shape theory yielded a quantitative link between lipid and solvent composition and the physical state of the lipid assembly. The key parameter of the new model, κ(pH), describes the membrane phase behavior of charged membranes in response to their ion loading in a quantitative way.
authors.affiliation: Novosom AG, Halle, Germany.
authors.forename: Evgenios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siepi
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Sylke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panzner
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007477:Ions; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008956:Models, Chemical; D044367:Phase Transition; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007477:Ions; D008055:Lipids; D008081:Liposomes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D014867:Water; C070046:1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-(trimethylammonium)propane