Self-organaized tubular-linked liposome network

Recently, we have identified a microscopic network consisting of a spontaneously-formed, three-dimensional tubular-linked liposome structure. In the presence of various gangliosides or cholesterol, the dispersed spherical liposomes drastically and spontaneously altered their forms to create a tubular-linked network. The tubular structures were identified as being hydrophilic tunnels (∼200 nm in diameter and 20-100 μm in length). It is notable that the network formed by cholesterol system can be dismantled to the dispersed liposomes by addition of methyl-β-cyclodextrin. Such a lipidic network can encapsulate biomacromolecules (nucleic acids) in the internal hydrophilic spaces of the vesicles and tubules. The hydrophilic molecules of enzymes or substrates could pass through the tubule of the network. This result could contribute to the construction of a chemical microreactor system such as connectable artificial cells.