Direct Observation of Transformation Process of Giant Liposome Induced by Reconstructed Cytoskeletons

Liposomes have been well studied as simplified models of biological membranes, and are now used as such in a number of applications from pharmacology to bioengineering, for example as carriers of DNA vectors for internal delivery. In order to study the mechanism that determines vesicular shape, morphogenesis of giant liposomes caused by assembly of cytoskeletal proteins encapsulated into the liposomes were visualized by direct, real-time observation using high-intensity dark-field microscopy. We found that the liposomes transformed into various stable shapes depending on the combination of encapsulated proteins and experimental conditions. The vesicle morphologies observed in this model system, are similar to those of living cells. Therefore, this model liposome system will give us a powerful strategy to study the role of cytoskeletons on the morphogenesis of cell and cell organelle