No abstract

SynopsisT h e eficiencies of polyelectrolytes, i.e., polycations and polyanions. and several kinds of water-soluble polymers as fusogens on soybean phospholipid liposome (SL) and egg yolk phospholipid liposome (EL) were investigated by the fluorescence quenching method. There were optimal concentrations for the induction of fusion in every system. Polycations induced fusion of l i p s o m e a t very low concentration in comparison with other polymers. Poly(carb0xylic acid)s induced fusion a t relatively high concentration. A strong acidic polyanion with high molecular weight also induced fusion of liposomes. The induction efficiency of poly(ethy1ene glycol) on fusion w a s higher than other nonionic polymers. The efficiency of fusion of EL was lower than t h a t of S L in all systems because of the higher stability of EL membrane. I t was found that electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and/or hydrophobic interaction hetween these water-soluble polymers and lipsonla1 membranes played an important role on aggregation and fusion of liposomes.

No abstract

No abstract