Lipid phase states influence glycophorin reconstitution

Reconstitution of glycophorin into dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin vesicles was sub-maximal below the phase transition temperatures of these lipids. Reconstitution of glycophorin into diisostearoyl phosphatidylcholine and dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes was maximal within a range of temperatures below the phase transition temperatures of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin but above the phase transition temperatures of diisostearoyl phosphatidylcholine and dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine. These findings indicate a greater tendency for reconstitution of glycophorin into fluid as opposed to solid lipid phases.