Difference between revisions of "C2AB: A Molecular Glue for Lipid Vesicles with a Negatively Charged Surface"
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[[Image:C2AB3.jpg|500px|thumb|left|(a) shows TIR images before and after the introduction of <math>Ca^{2+}</math>. (b) and (c) show TEM images of the liposomes before and after the addition of <math>Ca^{2+}</math>]] | [[Image:C2AB3.jpg|500px|thumb|left|(a) shows TIR images before and after the introduction of <math>Ca^{2+}</math>. (b) and (c) show TEM images of the liposomes before and after the addition of <math>Ca^{2+}</math>]] | ||
− | + | The academic group conducting this research is experimenting with liposomes as a drug delivery vehicle. They believe they can solve the problem of targeting the liposome to the correct cells, however there is a perceived problem that the concentration of the drug in each liposome will not have the necessary efficacy. They hope to be able to fuse the liposomes together at the site of the target to ensure that the drug concentration is high enough to provide a sufficient dosage. | |
− | + | They are collaborating this work with a group that has been studying the protein C2AB which is used in cells as a calcium sensor in synaptic vesicle exocytosis. The protein has two active sites, one of which binds 2 <math>Ca^{2+}</math>, the other binding 3 <math>Ca^{2+}</math>. | |
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Revision as of 01:35, 3 November 2009
Original entry: William Bonificio, AP 225, Fall 2009
Information
C2AB: A Molecular Glue for Lipid Vesicles with a Negatively Charged Surface. Jiajie Diao, Tae-Young Yoon, Zengliu Su, Yeon-Kyun Shin, Taekjip Ha. Langmuir 2009 25 (13), 7177-7180
Soft matter keywords
Liquid-Phase Crystallization, Pentazene, Organic Field Effect Transistor, Pentacene, Tricholorbenzene.
Summary
The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a calcium binding protein, currently found in cells, to fuse liposomes to one another. The binding protein, C2AB, binds calcium at both ends of it. This binding gives it a positive charge on both sides, which in turn gives the C2AB an affinity to negatively charged liposomes. When liposomes, C2AB and <math>Ca^{2+}</math> are combined the liposomes fuse.
Soft matter discussion
The academic group conducting this research is experimenting with liposomes as a drug delivery vehicle. They believe they can solve the problem of targeting the liposome to the correct cells, however there is a perceived problem that the concentration of the drug in each liposome will not have the necessary efficacy. They hope to be able to fuse the liposomes together at the site of the target to ensure that the drug concentration is high enough to provide a sufficient dosage.
They are collaborating this work with a group that has been studying the protein C2AB which is used in cells as a calcium sensor in synaptic vesicle exocytosis. The protein has two active sites, one of which binds 2 <math>Ca^{2+}</math>, the other binding 3 <math>Ca^{2+}</math>.