Lipid loss and compositional change during preparation of simple two-component liposomes.

Liposomes are used as model membranes in many scientific fields. Various methods exist to prepare liposomes, but common procedures include thin-film hydration followed by extrusion, freeze-thaw, and/or sonication. These procedures can produce liposomes at specific concentrations and lipid compositions, and researchers often assume that the concentration and composition of their liposomes are similar or identical to what would be expected if no lipid loss occurred.

Lipid loss and compositional change during preparation of liposomes by common biophysical methods.

Liposomes are widely used as model lipid membrane platforms in many fields, ranging from basic biophysical studies to drug delivery and biotechnology applications. Various methods exist to prepare liposomes, but common procedures include thin-film hydration followed by extrusion, freeze-thaw, and/or sonication. These procedures have the potential to produce liposomes at specific concentrations and membrane compositions, and researchers often assume that the concentration and composition of their liposomes are similar to, if not identical, to what would be expected if no lipid loss occurred during preparation.

Kinetic Modeling of West Nile Virus Fusion Indicates an Off-Pathway State.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a prominent mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes febrile illness in humans. To infect host cells, WNV virions first bind to plasma membrane receptors, then initiate membrane fusion following endocytosis. The viral transmembrane E protein, triggered by endosomal pH, catalyzes fusion while undergoing a dimer-to-trimer transition.