Size Growth Factor in the Process of Vesicle Formation from Phospholipid-Detergent Mixed Micelles

Small unilamellar vesicles (SUV*) appeared in the transition region were reproduced by adding proper amount of detergent to SUV prepared by ultrasonication. It was found that SUV* are fusible to grow their size time-dependently resulting in formation of large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) if octylglucoside was used as a detergent, but are not if sodium cholate was used. On the basis above results it was discussed that post-vesiculation size growth is a crucial factor to regulate vesicle size in the process of vesicle formation from detergent-phospholipid mixed micelles.