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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases
Published on: November 21, 2010
Spontaneous Membrane Generation and Extension in a Dipeptide Single Crystal and Phospholipid Mixed System
Meifang Fu1,2, Junbai Li1,2
1Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Lab of Colloid, Interface and Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Self-reproduction is one of the most important characteristics of lipid vesicles for origin of life research. Most vesicle self-reproduction systems are based on fatty acid vesicles and spontaneous phospholipid vesicle production is difficult owing to the relatively high stability of these vesicles. Now, spontaneous phospholipid vesicle generation and extension in a dipeptide/phospholipid system is demonstrated. Dissolution of the dipeptide crystal provides both the driving force and phospholipid constituents for vesicle generation and extension. This study provides a new system to enhance the understanding of vesicle self-reproduction mechanisms.
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