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Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Single Liposome Measurements for the Study of Proton-Pumping Membrane Enzymes Using Electrochemistry and Fluorescent Microscopy
Published on: February 21, 2019
Probing the structural evolution on the surface of cardiolipin vesicles with an amphiphilic second harmonic
Shujiao Chen1, Zhongcheng Liu2, Bifei Li1
1Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), University Town, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang, China.
Abstract:
Investigating the influence of the ambient chemical environment on molecular behaviors in liposomes is crucial for understanding and manipulating cellular vitality as well as the capabilities of lipid drug carriers in various environments. Here, we designed and synthesized a second harmonic generation (SHG) and fluorescence probe molecule called Pyr-Py+-N+ (PPN), which possesses membrane-targeting capability. We employed PPN to investigate the response of lipid vesicles composed of cardiolipin to the presence of exogenous salt. The kinetic behaviors, including the adsorption and embedding of PPN on the surface of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) composed of cardiolipin, were analyzed. The response of the SUVs to the addition of NaCl was also monitored. A rapid decrease in vesicle size can be evidenced through the rapid drop in SHG emission originating from PPN located on the vesicle surface.
