Chemistry Letters

Liposomes that can be disintegrated by photo-irradiation.

A Kusumi, S Nakahama, K Yamaguchi

Index: Kusumi, Akihiro; Nakahama, Seiichi; Yamaguchi, Kazuo Chemistry Letters, 1989 , p. 433 - 436

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Citation Number: 11

Abstract

Photo-labile phosphatidylcholine (PLPC) was synthesized which contains 2-nitrobenzyl esters at the terminals of both alkyl chains. Photolysis of the esters generates carboxylate ions in the hydrophobic region of the PLPC membrane, leading to instant disintegration of PLPC liposomes as observed by the phase contrast microscopy. Upon UV irradiation, entrapped macromolecules (45-kdalton ovalbumin) were released from PLPC liposomes.