Interbilayer forces in membrane fusion

About: Interbilayer forces in membrane fusion is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 195 publications have been published within this topic receiving 32335 citations.

Intermolecular and surface forces

Abstract: The Forces between Atoms and Molecules. Principles and Concepts. Historical Perspective. Some Thermodynamic Aspects of Intermolecular Forces. Strong Intermolecular Forces: Covalent and Coulomb Interactions. Interactions Involving Polar Molecules. Interactions Involving the Polarization of Molecules. van der Waals Forces. Repulsive Forces, Total Intermolecular Pair Potentials, and Liquid Structure. Special Interactions. Hydrogen-Bonding, Hydrophobic, and Hydrophilic Interactions. The Forces between Particles and Surfaces. Some Unifying Concepts in Intermolecular and Interparticle Forces. Contrasts between Intermolecular, Interparticle, and Intersurface Forces. van der Waals Forces between Surfaces. Electrostatic Forces between Surfaces in Liquids. Solvation, Structural and Hydration Forces. Steric and Fluctuation Forces. Adhesion. Fluid-Like Structures and Self-Assembling Systems. Micelles, Bilayers, and Biological Membranes. Thermodynamic Principles of Self-Assembly. Aggregation of Amphiphilic Molecules into Micelles, Bilayers, Vesicles, and Biological Membranes. The Interactions between Lipid Bilayers and Biological Membranes. References. Index.

Mechanics of membrane fusion.

Abstract: Diverse membrane fusion reactions in biology involve close contact between two lipid bilayers, followed by the local distortion of the individual bilayers and reformation into a single, merged membrane. We consider the structures and energies of the fusion intermediates identified in experimental and theoretical work on protein-free lipid bilayers. On the basis of this analysis, we then discuss the conserved fusion-through-hemifusion pathway of merger between biological membranes and propose that the entire progression, from the close juxtaposition of membrane bilayers to the expansion of a fusion pore, is controlled by protein-generated membrane stresses.

Formation and spreading of lipid bilayers on planar glass supports

Abstract: The fusion and spreading of phospholipid bilayers on glass surfaces was investigated as a function of pH and ionic strength. Membrane fusion to the support was favorable at high ionic strength and low pH for vesicles containing a net negative charge; however, neutral and positively charged vesicles fused under all conditions attempted. This result suggests that van der Waals and electrostatic interactions govern the fusion process. Membrane spreading over a planar surface was favorable at low pH regardless of the net charge on the bilayer, and the process is driven by van der Waals forces. On the other hand membrane propagation is impeded at high pH or on highly curved surfaces. In this case a combination of hydration and bending interactions is primarily responsible for arresting the spreading process. These results provide a framework for understanding many of the factors that influence the effectiveness of scratches on planar supported bilayers as barriers to lateral diffusion and lead to a simple meth...

Protein-lipid interplay in fusion and fission of biological membranes.

Abstract: Disparate biological processes involve fusion of two membranes into one and fission of one membrane into two. To formulate the possible job description for the proteins that mediate remodeling of biological membranes, we analyze the energy price of disruption and bending of membrane lipid bilayers at the different stages of bilayer fusion. The phenomenology and the pathways of the well-characterized reactions of biological remodeling, such as fusion mediated by influenza hemagglutinin, are compared with those studied for protein-free bilayers. We briefly consider some proteins involved in fusion and fission, and the dependence of remodeling on the lipid composition of the membranes. The specific hypothetical mechanisms by which the proteins can lower the energy price of the bilayer rearrangement are discussed in light of the experimental data and the requirements imposed by the elastic properties of the bilayer.

Direct measurements of forces between phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers in aqueous electrolyte solutions

Abstract: We report direct measurements of the full interbilayer force laws (force vs. distance) between bilayers of various phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamine in aqueous solutions. Bilayers were first deposited on molecularly smooth (mica) surfaces and the interbilayer forces then measured at a resolution of 1 A. Three types of forces were identified: attractive van der Waals forces, repulsive electrostatic (double-layer) forces, and (at short range) repulsive steric hydration forces. Double-layer forces, which arise from ion binding, were insignificant in monovalent salt solutions, e.g., NaCl up to 1 M, but were already present in solutions containing millimolar levels of CaCl2 and MgCl2, giving rise to forces in excellent agreement with theory. Ca2+ binds more strongly than Mg2+, and both bind less to lecithin bilayers in the fluid state (T greater than Tc). The plane of charge coincides with the location of the negative phosphate groups, while the effective plane of origin of the van der Waals force is 4-5 A farther out. In water, the adhesion energies are in the range 0.10-0.15 erg/cm2 for lecithins and approximately 0.8 erg/cm2 for phosphatidylethanolamine. The adhesion energies vary on addition of salt due to changes in the repulsive double-layer and hydration forces rather than to a change in the attractive van der Waals force. The short-range repulsive forces which balance the van der Waals force at separations of 10-30 A are due to a combination of hydration and steric repulsions, the latter arising from thermal motions of head groups and thickness fluctuations of fluid bilayers (above Tc). It is also concluded that bilayer fusion is not simply related to the interbilayer force law.