Phase separation in lipid bilayers triggered by low pH

Endocytosis involves the capture of membrane from the cell surface in the form of vesicles, which become rapidly acidified to about pH 5. Here we show using atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging that this degree of acidification triggers phase separation in lipid bilayers containing mixed acyl chains (e.g. palmitoyl/oleoyl) or complex mixtures (e.g. total brain extract) but not in bilayers containing only lipids with unsaturated chains (e.g. dioleoyl). Since mixed-chain lipids are major constituents of the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, the type of phase separation reported here might support protein clustering and signaling during endocytosis.

Research highlights
► Lipid bilayers have been imaged by atomic force microscopy (AFM).
► At pH 5 phase separation occurs in lipid bilayers containing mixed acyl chains.
► Phase separation does not occur when lipids have only unsaturated chains.
► Phase separation might drive protein clustering during endocytosis.