A simple equation to calculate the diameters of biological vesicles

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple mathematical model based on phospholipid properties to accurately predict the discrete sizes of biological vesicles, validated by electron microscopy data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel equation for calculating vesicle diameters derived from lipid packing principles, improving understanding of vesicle size regulation.

Findings

The model's predictions closely match electron microscopy measurements.

Statistical analysis shows highly significant correlation (p=0.0002).

Provides a theoretical basis for vesicle size preference in biomembranes.

Abstract

The remarkable preference of biomembranes, to constitute vesicles of certain discrete sizes is explained by using the following properties of phospholipids that are either well understood or at least documented. A. By hexagonal close-packing their fatty acyl chains form a triangular lattice. Their molecules: B. Prefer to form linear arrays that occasionally make angles of 120 degrees. C. Form relatively large hexagons. Based on these properties a model for monolayers is proposed and a simple equation derived for the calculation of diameters of vesicles. The diameters of vesicles of neurotransmitters and hormones determined by electron microscopy were compared with those obtained with the equation. Statistical analysis of this comparison revealed the model to give very significant results (p=.0002).