Cholesterol mediates membrane curvature during fusion events.

ABSTRACT: Biomembranes undergo extensive shape changes as they perform vital cellular functions. The mechanisms by which lipids and proteins control membrane curvature remain unclear. We use x-ray reflectivity, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, and epifluorescence microscopy to study binding of HIV-1 glycoprotein gp41's membrane-bending domain to DPPC/cholesterol monolayers of various compositions at the air-liquid interface. The results offer a new insight into how membrane curvature could be regulated by cholesterol during fusion of the viral lipid envelope and the host cell membranes.

SUBMITTER: Ivankin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8792958 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature