Biomaterial Database

Membrane fusion in vesicles of oligomerizable lipids. 1999

B J Ravoo, and W D Weringa, and J B Engberts

Department of Organic and Molecular Inorganic Chemistry and Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.

Membrane fusion has been examined in a model system of small unilamellar vesicles of synthetic lipids that can be oligomerized through the lipid headgroups. The oligomerization can be induced either in both bilayer leaflets or in the inner leaflet exclusively. Oligomerization leads to denser lipid headgroup packing, with concomitant reduction of lipid lateral diffusion and membrane permeability. As evidenced by lipid mixing assays, electron microscopy, and light scattering, calcium-induced fusion of the bilayer vesicles is strongly retarded and inhibited by oligomerization. Remarkably, oligomerization of only the inner leaflet of the bilayer is already sufficient to affect fusion. The efficiency of inhibition and retardation of fusion critically depend on the relative amount of oligomeric lipid present, on the concentration of calcium ions, and on temperature. Implications for the mechanism of bilayer membrane fusion are discussed in terms of lipid lateral diffusion and membrane curvature effects.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008051	Lipid Bilayers	Layers of lipid molecules which are two molecules thick. Bilayer systems are frequently studied as models of biological membranes.	Bilayers, Lipid,Bilayer, Lipid,Lipid Bilayer
D008081	Liposomes	Artificial, single or multilaminar vesicles (made from lecithins or other lipids) that are used for the delivery of a variety of biological molecules or molecular complexes to cells, for example, drug delivery and gene transfer. They are also used to study membranes and membrane proteins.	Niosomes,Transferosomes,Ultradeformable Liposomes,Liposomes, Ultra-deformable,Liposome,Liposome, Ultra-deformable,Liposome, Ultradeformable,Liposomes, Ultra deformable,Liposomes, Ultradeformable,Niosome,Transferosome,Ultra-deformable Liposome,Ultra-deformable Liposomes,Ultradeformable Liposome
D008561	Membrane Fusion	The adherence and merging of cell membranes, intracellular membranes, or artificial membranes to each other or to viruses, parasites, or interstitial particles through a variety of chemical and physical processes.	Fusion, Membrane,Fusions, Membrane,Membrane Fusions
D008563	Membrane Lipids	Lipids, predominantly phospholipids, cholesterol and small amounts of glycolipids found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. These lipids may be arranged in bilayers in the membranes with integral proteins between the layers and peripheral proteins attached to the outside. Membrane lipids are required for active transport, several enzymatic activities and membrane formation.	Cell Membrane Lipid,Cell Membrane Lipids,Membrane Lipid,Lipid, Cell Membrane,Lipid, Membrane,Lipids, Cell Membrane,Lipids, Membrane,Membrane Lipid, Cell,Membrane Lipids, Cell
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009682	Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy	Spectroscopic method of measuring the magnetic moment of elementary particles such as atomic nuclei, protons or electrons. It is employed in clinical applications such as NMR Tomography (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING).	In Vivo NMR Spectroscopy,MR Spectroscopy,Magnetic Resonance,NMR Spectroscopy,NMR Spectroscopy, In Vivo,Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,Spectroscopy, Magnetic Resonance,Spectroscopy, NMR,Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopies,Magnetic Resonance, Nuclear,NMR Spectroscopies,Resonance Spectroscopy, Magnetic,Resonance, Magnetic,Resonance, Nuclear Magnetic,Spectroscopies, NMR,Spectroscopy, MR
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004058	Diffusion	The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT.	Diffusions
D004492	Edetic Acid	A chelating agent that sequesters a variety of polyvalent cations such as CALCIUM. It is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing and as a food additive.	EDTA,Edathamil,Edetates,Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid,Tetracemate,Calcium Disodium Edetate,Calcium Disodium Versenate,Calcium Tetacine,Chelaton 3,Chromium EDTA,Copper EDTA,Coprin,Dicobalt EDTA,Disodium Calcitetracemate,Disodium EDTA,Disodium Ethylene Dinitrilotetraacetate,Distannous EDTA,Edetate Disodium Calcium,Edetic Acid, Calcium Salt,Edetic Acid, Calcium, Sodium Salt,Edetic Acid, Chromium Salt,Edetic Acid, Dipotassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Disodium Salt,Edetic Acid, Disodium Salt, Dihydrate,Edetic Acid, Disodium, Magnesium Salt,Edetic Acid, Disodium, Monopotassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Magnesium Salt,Edetic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Edetic Acid, Potassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Sodium Salt,Ethylene Dinitrilotetraacetate,Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid,Gallium EDTA,Magnesium Disodium EDTA,N,N'-1,2-Ethanediylbis(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine),Potassium EDTA,Stannous EDTA,Versenate,Versene,Acid, Edetic,Acid, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic,Acid, Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic,Calcitetracemate, Disodium,Dinitrilotetraacetate, Disodium Ethylene,Dinitrilotetraacetate, Ethylene,Disodium Versenate, Calcium,EDTA, Chromium,EDTA, Copper,EDTA, Dicobalt,EDTA, Disodium,EDTA, Distannous,EDTA, Gallium,EDTA, Magnesium Disodium,EDTA, Potassium,EDTA, Stannous,Edetate, Calcium Disodium,Ethylene Dinitrilotetraacetate, Disodium,Tetacine, Calcium,Versenate, Calcium Disodium