Membranes of the world unite!
Despite diverse origins, cellular fusion mechanisms converge at a pathway of phospholipid bilayer fusion. In this mini-review, we discuss how proteins can mediate each of the three major stages in the fusion pathway: contact, hemifusion, and the opening of an expanding fusion pore.
Chernomordik
Leonid V
LV
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biophysics, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. chernoml@mail.nih.gov
Zimmerberg
Joshua
J
Kozlov
Michael M
MM
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000378:metabolism*; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010743:Phospholipids