Fabrication and Characterization of Asymmetric Phosphoinositide-Containing Vesicles

Hunker, Olivia

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Fabrication and Characterization of Asymmetric Phosphoinositide-Containing Vesicles

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Biological membranes are vertically asymmetric and contain lipid rafts. Experimental evidence has linked phosphoinositide (PIP) mediated signaling events to lipid rafts. Interactions between lipid rafts and PIPs would provide an efficient mechanism for the regulation of PIP-mediated signaling events in cellular membranes. Experiments with asymmetric vesicles have shown that interleaflet phase coupling can occur between opposing leaflets. To investigate the potential coupling of outer leaflet raft domains and inner leaflet PIP/cholesterol domains, an asymmetric PI(4,5)P2-containing vesicle system was established and characterized. This system can be used to characterize interactions between lo domains and PIP domains under various conditions.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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