Chromatographic approaches to liposomes, proteoliposomes and biomembrane vesicles

Size-exclusion chromatography has been used for fractionation of liposomes, proteoliposomes and biomembrane vesicles of up to approximately 500 nm in size and for separation of these entities from smaller components. Liposome sizes, encapsulation stability, and solute affinities for membrane protein s have been determined. Counter-current distribution in aqueous two-phase s ystems has widened the range of applications to larger structures. Immobili zed biomembrane vesicles and (proteo)liposomes provide stationary phases fo r chromatographic analysis of specific or nonspecific membrane-salute inter actions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.