A Frame-by-Frame Glance at Membrane Fusion Mechanisms: From Viral Infections to Fertilization.

ABSTRACT: Viral entry and fertilization are distinct biological processes that share a common mechanism: membrane fusion. In viral entry, enveloped viruses attach to the host cell membrane, triggering a series of conformational changes in the viral fusion proteins. This results in the exposure of a hydrophobic fusion peptide, which inserts into the host membrane and brings the viral and host membranes into close proximity. Subsequent structural rearrangements in opposing membranes lead to their fusion. Similarly, membrane fusion occurs when gametes merge during the fertilization process, though the exact mechanism remains unclear. Structural biology has played a pivotal role in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane fusion. High-resolution structures of the viral and fertilization

SUBMITTER: Azimi FC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10377500 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature