Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : gamma-Immunoglobulins induce the fusion of oleic acid-containing liposomes into tubular structures. An F(ab')2 preparation does not exert the same influence unless it is several orders of magnitude more concentrated. The same is true for several proteins with an isoelectric point higher or lower than the IgG isoelectric point. The Fc of IgG seems thus to exert a specific destabilizing and fusogenic action on artificial lipid membranes. An hypothesis is presented concerning the mode of action of Fc gamma on lymphocyte membrane which is based on the facts mentioned above and on the existence of a phospholipasic activity of Fc gamma membrane receptor.