title: Use of a fluorescence assay to monitor the kinetics of fusion between erythrocyte ghosts, as induced by Sendai virus.
abstract: The kinetics of the fusion process between erythrocyte ghosts, as induced by Sendai virus, were readily revealed by a simple fluorescence procedure previously employed to characterize the fusion of viruses with biological membranes. The method relies on the relief of fluorescence selfquenching of the membrane-inserted probe octadecyl Rhodamine B chloride (R18) as occurs when labeled membranes fuse with unlabeled counterparts. The kinetics of R18 insertion into ghost membranes, the non-exchangeable properties of the fluorophore and the kinetics, and some characteristics of Sendai virus-induced fusion of ghosts, are described. We propose that the experimental approach may be particularly advantageous to obtain insight into the efficiency and mechanism of a wide range of fusogens, capable of inducing fusion of erythrocyte membranes.
mesh_terms: D002459:Cell Fusion; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D010222:Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D012235:Rhodamines; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012235:Rhodamines; C044542:octadecyl Rhodamine B chloride