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Lipids as Anchors

Lipids as Anchors

In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles

Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles

Published on: March 2, 2020

Stability Criterion for the Assembly of Core-Shell Lipid-Polymer-Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles.

Juan L Paris¹, Ricardo Gaspar¹, Filipe Coelho¹

¹International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, 4715-330, Portugal.

|August 15, 2023

Summary

Hybrid core-shell lipid-polycation-nucleic acid nanoparticles (LPNPs) are challenging to characterize. We found that oppositely charged polyplexes and liposomes are necessary for LPNP formation, with a liposome:polyplex ratio ≥ 1 predicting stability.

Keywords:

LPNP fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS)gene delivery lipid−polycation−DNA (LPD)lipopolyplex membrane-coated nanoparticles

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Last Updated: Jul 19, 2025

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Formulating and Characterizing Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery using a Microfluidic Mixing Platform

Formulating and Characterizing Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery using a Microfluidic Mixing Platform

Published on: February 25, 2021

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Nanotechnology
Gene Delivery

Background:

Hybrid core-shell lipid-polycation-nucleic acid nanoparticles (LPNPs) offer advanced nonviral gene therapeutic delivery.
The multi-component nature of LPNPs presents significant challenges in characterizing component interactions and overall structure.
Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing LPNP design and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and apply a method for elucidating the association between the three core components of LPNPs.
To identify key parameters that govern the formation and stability of LPNPs.
To provide a deeper understanding of the self-assembly mechanisms underlying LPNP formation.

Main Methods:

Utilized fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) to analyze component interactions within LPNPs.
Investigated the charge-based interactions between cationic lipid shells (liposomes) and polycation-nucleic acid cores (polyplexes).
Determined the critical liposome:polyplex number ratio (ρ) for stable LPNP formation.

Main Results:

Demonstrated that cationic liposomes do not displace polycations or DNA from polyplexes.
Established that electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged polyplexes and liposomes is essential for LPNP assembly.
Identified the liposome:polyplex number ratio (ρ) as a primary predictor of LPNP stability, with ρ ≥ 1 being crucial.

Conclusions:

The formation of stable LPNPs relies on the electrostatic association between oppositely charged liposomes and polyplexes.
A liposome:polyplex number ratio (ρ) of 1 or greater ensures complete liposome envelopment of polyplexes, preventing aggregation.
This study provides critical insights into LPNP assembly, paving the way for improved gene delivery systems.