Molecular mechanism of liposome membrane fusion induced by two classes of amphipathic helical peptides with similar and different hydrophobic/hydrophilic balances

摘要

Membrane fusion reactions consist of two steps: close apposition and disruption and reformation of bilayer membranes. In this paper, we have studied the molecular mechansim of liposome membrane fusion induced by two classes of amphipathic helical peptides with similar and different hydrophobic/hydrophilic balances, and proposed a possible mechanism that close apposition of the liposome membranes occurs through "cross-bridge formation" of the membrane surface-bound peptides and disruption and reformation of the membranes occur through "transbilayer movement" of the peptides.