Phospholipase C activity-induced fusion of pure lipid model membranes. A freeze fracture study.

The structural effects of in situ production of diacylglycerol by phospholipase C in pure lipid model membranes have been examined by freeze fracture electron microscopy. Phospholipase C-activity induces massive aggregation and fusion of large unilamellar lipid vesicles and leads to the formation of a 'sealed' lipid aggregate; the outer membrane of this aggregate appears to be continuous. In some areas lipid arranges into a honeycomb structure; this structure is probably a precursor of a discontinuous inverted (type II) cubic phase. Similarly, enzyme treatment of multilamellar vesicles leads to extensive membrane fusion and vesiculation. Thus morphological evidence is obtained showing the ability of phospholipase C to induce bilayer destabilization and fusion. It is speculated that phospholipase C-induced membrane fusion involves a type II fusion intermediate induced by diacylglycerol produced locally.