Cation-Induced Vesicle Fusion Modulated by Polymers and Proteins

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter has its focus on applications of phospholipid vesicles for the elucidation molecular mechanisms membrane fusion. Rather than presenting a complete review work vesicle fusion, basic biophysical concepts are demonstrated fusion processes induced by cations, polymers and cation-binding proteins. Biological briefly reviewed to define components involved in processes. Fluorescence techniques that frequently used monitor described. Before is discussed, aggregation considered with emphasis realization close approach membranes, recognized as requirement Some current models discussed chapter. The finding these studies was surface hydrophobicity one important factors contributing A hydrophobic interaction membranes results when groups exposed water. As such areas formed binding cations bilayer surfaces, local packing strains osmotic stresses, inhomogeneous penetration proteins into bilayer.