[Properties of artificial vesicles from biological membranes].

Ultrasonic treatment of microsome fraction or the preparation of partially purified Na+, K+-ATPase from cattle brain resulted in the formation of closed structures which immobilized rubidium and sodium ions and were easily discovered in electron microscope. Gradual release of bound rubidium ions was observed under the incubation of ultrasonic-treated membrane preparation in salt solutions. This process was activated by ATP. ATP-activated release of rubidium was observed only in the presence of sodium and was inhibited by ouabain. A hypothesis on the participation of sodium pump in the ion transport through membranes of artificial vesicles is discussed.