[Effect of the ionic strength of solutions on the size of ganglioside mycelia]

Gangliosides in aqueous media of low ionic strength (2-5 mM NaCl) and in concentrations over the critical ones (10(-5) M) form micellas which do not differ from liposomes as regards the chromatographic behavior on Sepharose 4R, with a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 10(7) dalton. In aqueous media of a higher ionic strength (greater than or equal to 20 mM NaCl), gangliosides form micellas which are eluted during chromatography in far later fractions than liposomes 70-80 nm in diameter, with a molecular weight of (1-5) X 10(5) dalton. It is assumed that the conclusions about ganglioside incorporation into the liposomal membrane made on the basis of their peaks coincidence are correct, provided that ganglioside-containing liposomes are obtained and chromatographed under high ionic strength (greater than or equal to 20 mM NaCl).