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Effect of transbilayer phospholipid distribution on erythrocyte fusion

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Bioscience Reports

Abstract

Phospholipid packing has been suggested as a relevant variable in the control of membrane fusion events. To test this possibility in a model system, a comparison was made of the fusability of erythrocytes with a normal asymmetric transbilayer distribution of plasma membrane phospholipids (tightly packed exterior lipids) and erythrocytes with a symmetric transbilayer distribution of phospholipids (more loosely packed exterior lipids), using polyethylene glycol as fusogen. Not only were lipid-symmetric cells more readily fused, but fusions of mixtures of lipid-symmetric and lipid-asymmetric cells indicated that both fusing partners must have a symmetric distribution for fusion to be enhanced. Lipid-symmetric cells may fuse more readily because loose packing of the exterior lipids enhances hydrophobic interactions between cells. Alternatively, enhanced membrane fluidity may facilitate intramembranous particle clustering, previously implicated as a potentiator of fusion. Finally, exposure of phosphatidylserine on the surface of lipid-symmetric erythrocytes may be responsible for their enhanced fusion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802, University Park, PA, USA

    Ellen K. Tullius & Robert A. Schlegel

  2. Department of Biology, Amherst College, 01002, Amherst, MA, USA

    Patrick Williamson

Authors
  1. Ellen K. Tullius
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  2. Patrick Williamson
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  3. Robert A. Schlegel
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Tullius, E.K., Williamson, P. & Schlegel, R.A. Effect of transbilayer phospholipid distribution on erythrocyte fusion. Biosci Rep 9, 623–633 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01119806

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01119806

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