Preparation of heat responding artificial cells.

Abstract

Enzyme-loaded microcapsules were prepared and treated with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine molecules so as to control the permeation of substrates through the microcapsule membranes. The activities of enclosed enzymes increased with increase in ambient temperature, but gave an abrupt change at around the phase transition temperature of the lipid. The experimental results indicate the possibility of making artificial cells which respond to the temperature change of the surrounding medium.