Membrane fusion induced by small molecules and ions.
Membrane fusion induced by small molecules and ions.
复制标题
DOI：
10.1155/2011/528784
复制
发表时间：
2011
影响因子：
5.3
通讯作者：
Sarkar M
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Mondal Roy S;Sarkar M
膜融合是许多生物过程中的关键事件。这些过程由各种融合剂控制，其中主要是蛋白质和肽。融合过程的特征在于三个主要步骤，即膜间接触、形成中间步骤的脂质混合、孔打开以及最终混合细胞/囊泡的内部内容物。这些步骤受到能量障碍的控制，需要克服这些障碍才能完成聚变。蛋白质/肽等大分子的结构重组提供了克服不同中间步骤的能量障碍所需的驱动力。小分子/离子不具有这种优势。因此，预期由小分子/离子诱导的融合不同于由蛋白质/肽诱导的融合。虽然有几篇关于膜融合的综述，但最近没有一篇综述专门针对小分子/离子诱导的膜融合。在这里，我们打算提出，如何各种小分子/离子作为独立的融合剂。有些人的详细机制已经很好理解，但对许多人来说，这仍然是一个悬而未决的问题。更清楚地了解特定的小分子如何控制融合将开辟一个前景，使用这些分子而不是蛋白质/肽来诱导体内和体外融合过程的融合。
Membrane fusion is a key event in many biological processes. These processes are controlled by various fusogenic agents of which proteins and peptides from the principal group. The fusion process is characterized by three major steps, namely, inter membrane contact, lipid mixing forming the intermediate step, pore opening and finally mixing of inner contents of the cells/vesicles. These steps are governed by energy barriers, which need to be overcome to complete fusion. Structural reorganization of big molecules like proteins/peptides, supplies the required driving force to overcome the energy barrier of the different intermediate steps. Small molecules/ions do not share this advantage. Hence fusion induced by small molecules/ions is expected to be different from that induced by proteins/peptides. Although several reviews exist on membrane fusion, no recent review is devoted solely to small moleculs/ions induced membrane fusion. Here we intend to present, how a variety of small molecules/ions act as independent fusogens. The detailed mechanism of some are well understood but for many it is still an unanswered question. Clearer understanding of how a particular small molecule can control fusion will open up a vista to use these moleucles instead of proteins/peptides to induce fusion both in vivo and in vitro fusion processes.