Initial size and dynamics of viral fusion pores are a function of the fusion protein mediating membrane fusion.

Biology of the Cell
I PlonskyJ Zimmerberg

Abstract

Protein-mediated merger of biological membranes, membrane fusion, is an important process. To investigate the role of fusogenic proteins in the initial size and dynamics of the fusion pore (a narrow aqueous pathway, which widens to finalize membrane fusion), two different fusion proteins expressed in the same cell line were investigated: the major glycoprotein of baculovirus Autographa californica (GP64) and the HA (haemagglutinin) of influenza X31. The host Sf9 cells expressing these viral proteins, irrespective of protein species, fused to human RBCs (red blood cells) upon acidification of the medium. A high-time-resolution electrophysiological study of fusion pore conductance revealed fundamental differences in (i) the initial pore conductance; pores created by HA were smaller than those created by GP64; (ii) the ability of pores to flicker; only HA-mediated pores flickered; and (iii) the time required for pore formation; HA-mediated pores took much longer to form after acidification. HA and GP64 have divergent electrophysiological phenotypes even when they fuse identical membranes, and fusion proteins play a crucial role in determining initial fusion pore characteristics. The structure of the initial fusion pore detected by...Continue Reading

References

Oct 1, 1992·Biophysical Journal·C NanavatiJ M Fernandez
Nov 6, 1992·Science·J M White
Jan 1, 1991·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·J ZimmerbergF S Cohen
May 1, 1991·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·A E SpruceW Almers
Feb 1, 1991·Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics·M Lindau
Dec 10, 1990·FEBS Letters·J BentzD Alford
Mar 1, 1987·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·J ZimmerbergM Brodwick
Nov 1, 1982·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·E Neher, A Marty
Jul 1, 1981·The Journal of Cell Biology·R L Ornberg, T S Reese
Aug 1, 1980·The Journal of Cell Biology·D E Chandler, J E Heuser
Aug 1, 1995·Current Opinion in Cell Biology·M Lindau, W Almers
Jan 1, 1996·Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology·L D HernandezJ M White
Jan 7, 1997·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S W SchneiderB P Jena
Dec 1, 1996·The Journal of Cell Biology·I Plonsky, J Zimmerberg
May 20, 1998·Biophysical Journal·V RatinovJ Zimmerberg
May 20, 1999·Molecular Membrane Biology·W WeissenhornD C Wiley
Dec 10, 1999·Molecular Biology of the Cell·D H KingsleyJ Zimmerberg
Oct 12, 2004·Biophysical Journal·Loredana VaccaroFranca Fraternali

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.