[Inclusion of erythrocyte membranes into planar lipid bilayers].

Planar lipid bilayer membranes (PM) were modified by membrane vesicles prepared from rabbit erythrocytes. Vesicles contained amphotericin B and tetraethylammonium. Voltage-current relationships of modified PM were investigated. Semi-fusion, the inclusion of sealed vesicles into PM with formation of contact bilayer consisting of one lipid monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane and another monolayer of PM, was shown to appear some minutes after the contact of vesicles with PM. Some tens of minutes later fusion of the erythrocyte membranes with PM was observed. Fusion occurred either by opening out of vesicles or by incorporation of sealed vesicles into PM. The temperature rise increased the fusion probability. Sealed vesicles were incorporated in PM asymmetrically: the contact area was always smaller than the noncontact vesicle surface.