Novel fusogenic liposomes for fluorescent cell labeling and membrane modification.

Efficient delivery of biomolecules into membranes of living cells as well as cell surface modifications are major biotechnological challenges. Here, novel liposome systems based on neutral and cationic lipids in combination with lipids modified by aromatic groups are introduced for such applications. The fusion efficiency of these liposome systems was tested on single cells in culture like HEK293, myofibroblasts, cortical neurons, human macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and even on tissue.

Shape and oligomerization state of the cytoplasmic domain of the phototaxis transducer II from Natronobacterium pharaonis.

Phototaxis allows archaea to adjust flagellar motion in response to light. In the photophobic response of Natronobacterium pharaonis, light-activated sensory rhodopsin II causes conformational changes in the transducer II protein (pHtrII), initiating the two-component signaling system analogous to bacterial chemotaxis. pHtrII's cytoplasmic domain (pHtrII-cyt) is homologous to the cytoplasmic domains of eubacterial chemotaxis receptors.