Abstract
In the previous study, we have established conditions for isolated subunits of the crystalline cell surface layer (S-layer) protein of Deinococcus radiodurans IR and efficiently in vitro self-assembly of purified protein. More recently we develop a new method for high-yield preparation of S-layer fraction (SLF). In this work, we are interested in improving liposomes instability. Using the self-assembly principle to attach SLF easily onto liposome surface to form a novel type of liposome (SLL). In basic structural principle SLF coated liposome resemble the cell envelopes. We also observe SLL under confocal laser scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, we have investigated the stabilizing effect of SLL towards acid or osmotic challenges. We have demonstrated the SLL are more stable than plain liposome. Such SLL system are close to biomimetic structures that resemble archaeal cells or virus envelopes, may be a model system to study membrane protein, ion channel, and evolution process of bacteria. The high stability of SLL and possibility for immobilizing biologically active molecules on the crystalline array may offer potential in various different liposome applications.