Figure 2.

Proposed mechanism(s) of bilayer micellization in a vesicle: (I) Detergent monomers become inserted into the vesicle outer monolayer. (II) Detergent equilibrates between the inner and outer monolayer through rapid flip-flop. (III) Pores are formed in the bilayer. (IV) Lipid-detergent mixed micelles are formed. Both a cross section and an overall view of an elongated micelle are shown. When rapid flip-flop is not possible, then an alternative pathway occurs: (II′) Insertion of multiple curvophilic detergent molecules cause a large increase in the curvature of the outer bilayer. (III′) Lipid-detergent mixed micelles are shed from the bilayer, and this process leads to (IV′) detergent trans-bilayer movements. The system can then undergo processes III and IV.