An asymmetric enlargement of the monolayer surfaces mechanism of membrane fusion

A mathematical model of one of the mechanisms of membrane fusion is described. From the model, it follows that when the outer leaflet of a membrane formed of bilayer stabilizing phospholipids is enlarged over the inner leaflet, convexities are formed on the membrane surface. This asymmetric enlargement of the outer layer over the inner layer occurs when fusogenic peptides, such as cobra venom cytotoxin and bee venom melittin, interact with the outer membrane monolayer. This phenomenon facilitates not only membrane fusion, but it might also play an important role in physiological processes, such as inter- and intracellular communications and cellular motility.