Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2006-09-20
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
9 figures
Scientific paper
10.1529/biophysj.106.097063
We extend previous work on homogeneous bilayers to calculate the barriers to fusion of planar bilayers which contain two different amphiphiles, a lamellae-former and a hexagonal former, with different compositions of the twoin each leaf. Self-consistent field theory is employed, and both standard and alternative pathways are explored. We first calculate these barriers as the amount of hexagonal former is increased equally in both leaves to levels appropriate to the plasma membrane of human red blood cells. We follow these barriers as the composition of hexagonal-formers is then increased in the cis layer and decreased in the trans layer, again to an extent comparable to the biological system. We find that, while the fusion pathway exhibits two barriers in both the standard and alternative pathways, in both cases the magnitudes of these barriers are comparable to one another, and small, on the order of 13 kT. As a consequence, one expects that once the bilayers are brought sufficiently close to one another to initiate the process, fusion should occur rapidly.
Lee Jae Youn
Schick Michael
No associations
LandOfFree
Field Theoretic Study of Bilayer Membrane Fusion III: Membranes with Leaves of Different Composition does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Field Theoretic Study of Bilayer Membrane Fusion III: Membranes with Leaves of Different Composition, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Field Theoretic Study of Bilayer Membrane Fusion III: Membranes with Leaves of Different Composition will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-350622