Peptide–lipid hybrid vesicles with stimuli-responsive phase separation for controlled membrane functions

Abstract

A disulfide-tethered peptide–lipid conjugate self-assembled into a homogeneously distributed peptide–lipid hybrid vesicle. Upon dithiothreitol treatment, the homogeneous peptide–lipid membrane spontaneously divided into lipid-rich and peptide-rich domains, while the vesicle retained its size and shape. Membrane phase separation enhanced temperature-dependent cargo release.