title: The role of tetraspanins in fusion.
abstract: Membrane fusion underlies such important biological processes as virus entry into host cells, intracellular protein trafficking, fertilization, formation of muscle fibres and bone resorption. In addition, pathologies such as osteoporosis and implant rejection have been attributed to aberrant fusion. Members of the tetraspanin protein superfamily have been ascribed multiple roles in membrane biology, forming extensive lateral associations and regulating the function of effector molecules by clustering them in specific areas of the membrane. The present review aims to summarize the experimental evidence for tetraspanin function in different fusion events and highlight common themes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. marzieh.fanaei@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fanaei
authors.forename: Peter N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Monk
authors.forename: Lynda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Partridge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002459:Cell Fusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D055503:Protein Multimerization / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D053586:Virus Internalization
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes