Membrane fusion mediated by phospholipase C under endosomal pH conditions

Phospholipase C (PLC) is considered to be one of key enzymes for the design of drug delivery system using the endocytosis route, because PLC can catalyze the membrane fusion between cell membranes and phospholipid vehicles (liposomes). Membrane fusion by PLC was then studied under various pHs to model the endosomal environment. The used liposomes were composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), and cholesterol (Ch). The membrane fusion was dominated by the enzymatic reaction at pH 6-7.5. In contrast, the membrane perturbation effect due to the conformational change of PLC could induce the membrane fusion at around pH 4. The maximal value of membrane fusion was observed at around pH 5 for three liposomes in the order of DOPC