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Observations of membrane fusion in a liposome dispersion: the missing fusion intermediate? [version 2; referees: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
- Source :
- F1000Research. 4:4
- Publication Year :
- 2015
- Publisher :
- London, UK: F1000 Research Limited, 2015.
-
Abstract
- Early intermediate structures of liposome-liposome fusion events were captured by freeze-fracture electron microscopic (EM) technique. The images show the morphology of the fusion interface at several different stages of the fusion event. One of the intermediates was captured at a serendipitous stage of two vesicles’ membranes (both leaflets) merging and their contents starting to intermix clearly showing the fusion interface with a previously unseen fusion rim. From the morphological information a hypothetical sequence of the fusion event and corresponding lipid structural arrangements are described.
Details
- ISSN :
- 20461402
- Volume :
- 4
- Database :
- F1000Research
- Journal :
- F1000Research
- Notes :
- Revised Amendments from Version 1 While tempered with the limitation of observing one lipid vesicle composition and one fusogenic agent providing a limited number of fusion events, the reviewers recognized the noteworthy attribute of the lipid vesicle fusion intermediate in this study. The scarcity of visual information on lipid vesicle interactions captured at different time-points leads us to present these images as possible additional information. Literature published in the past two decades indicates that capturing a fusion event at the most revealing time point is indeed a challenge. It is recognized that alternative interpretations for fusion intermediate structure and differences between different lipid systems could also be contemplated. However, due to the rarity of such image, it is important to present this to the scientific community. As we indicate the serendipity of this finding, it is recognized that this paper can only be a small piece of information that stimulates further studies. We have revised the paper to clarify that the morphological observation and the schematic interpretation are from a single examination and limited to one lipid system and fusogenic agent combination that will require other studies and confirmation in the future., , [version 2; referees: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsfor.10.12688.f1000research.6003.2
- Document Type :
- research-note
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.6003.2