Biomechanics of virus-to-cell and cell-to-cell fusion.
A biomechanical model of virus-to-cell and cell-to-cell fusion is presented. Virus and the cells are modelled as initially spherical membranes of nonlinear elastic material that undergo large deformations. The membranes are connected by a cytoplasmic bridge which expands, resulting in the formation of a larger single sphere. In virus-to-cell fusion, a smaller spherical membrane is connected to a much larger one. Fusion is completed when the smaller membrane is completely incorporated into the larger one. The numerical results predict the existence of a ring force in the so-called furrow plane. It is possible that the microfilaments of the cortical layer form the furrow band which may provide this ring force.
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002459:Cell Fusion; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008954:Models, Biological; D010222:Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure