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Molecular mechanisms of calcium-induced membrane fusion

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Abstract

We have reviewed studies on calcium-induced fusion of lipid bilayer membranes and the role of synexin and other calcium-binding proteins (annexins) in membrane fusion. We have also discussed the roles of other cations, lipid phase transitions, long chain fatty acids and other fusogenic molecules. Finally, we have presented a simple molecular model for the mechanism of lipid membrane fusion, consistent with the experimental evidence and incorporating various elements proposed previously.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Research Institute, University of California, 94143-0128, San Francisco, California

    Demetrios Papahadjopoulos & Nejat Düzgünes

  2. Department of Pharmacology, University of California, 94143-0128, San Francisco, California

    Demetrios Papahadjopoulos

  3. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, 94143-0128, San Francisco, California

    Nejat Düzgünes

  4. The Seagram Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76-100, Rehovot, Israel

    Shlomo Nir

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  1. Demetrios Papahadjopoulos
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Papahadjopoulos, D., Nir, S. & Düzgünes, N. Molecular mechanisms of calcium-induced membrane fusion. J Bioenerg Biomembr 22, 157–179 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00762944

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