Encapsulation of macromolecules by lipid vesicles under simulated prebiotic conditions (original) (raw)

Summary

Phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) were subjected to dehydration-hydration cycles in the presence of 6-carboxyfluorescein or salmon sperm DNA. We found that the vesicles fused into multilamellar structures during dehydration with solutes trapped between the lamellae. Upon rehydration the lamellae swelled and formed large vesicular structures containing solute. This model can be used to study encapsulation of macromolecules by lipid membranes to form protocellular structures under prebiotic conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. University of California, 95616, Davis, California, USA
   David W. Deamer & Gail L. Barchfeld

Authors

1. David W. Deamer
2. Gail L. Barchfeld

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Deamer, D.W., Barchfeld, G.L. Encapsulation of macromolecules by lipid vesicles under simulated prebiotic conditions.J Mol Evol 18, 203–206 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01733047

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• Received: 01 December 1981
• Revised: 14 December 1981
• Issue date: May 1982
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01733047

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