title: Protein-mediated intermembrane contact facilitates fusion of lipid vesicles with planar bilayers.
abstract: Fusion of phospholipid vesicles with planar bilayer membranes occurs provided there is an intermembrane contact, which can be mediated by phospholipid-binding proteins, even in the absence of calcium. The firm attachment phase is then followed by the osmotically-driven fusion. These results show that hydrophobic proteins (not necessarily Ca2+-binding proteins) may enhance fusion by promoting contact of membranes. Such proteins may operate synergistically with Ca2+ to reduce the threshold concentration of Ca2+ needed for fusion of biological membranes. Protein-mediated intermembrane contact resulting in fusion may play a crucial role in the regulation and catalysis of biological fusion events.
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D005353:Fibronectins; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008081:Liposomes; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids; D018272:Porins
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008081:Liposomes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids; D018272:Porins; D002118:Calcium