DIRECT FORMATION OF MIXED MICELLES IN THE SOLUBILIZATION OF PHOSPHOLIPID LIPOSOMES BY TRITON X-100

The vesicle to micelle transition which results in the interaction of the Triton X-100 surfactant with phosphatidylcholine vesicles was stud ied by means of dynamic light scattering (at different reading angles) and by freeze-fracture electron microscopy techniques. Vesicle solubi lization was produced by the direct formation of mixed micelles withou t the formation of complex intermediate aggregates. Thus, vesicle to m icelle transformation was mainly governed by the progressive formation of mixed micelles within the bilayer, A subsequent separation of thes e micelles from the liposome surface (vesicle perforation by the forma tion of surfactant-stabilized holes on the vesicle surface) led to a c omplete solubilization of liposomes. (C) 1998 Federation of European B iochemical Societies.