Nanoparticle induced fusion of lipid membranes

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Authors

BLASCO Sofia SUKENÍK Lukáš VÁCHA Robert

Year of publication 2024
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Nanoscale
MU Faculty or unit

Central European Institute of Technology

Citation
Web https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/nr/d4nr00591k
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d4nr00591k
Keywords GOLD NANOPARTICLES; VESICLE FUSION; SIMULATIONS; MOLECULES; MECHANISM; STALK
Attached files
Description Membrane fusion is crucial for infection of enveloped viruses, cellular transport, and drug delivery via liposomes. Nanoparticles can serve as fusogenic agents facilitating such membrane fusion for direct transmembrane transport. However, the underlying mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced fusion and the ideal properties of such nanoparticles remain largely unknown. Here, we used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the efficacy of spheroidal nanoparticles with different size, prolateness, and ligand interaction strengths to enhance fusion between vesicles. By systematically varying nanoparticle properties, we identified how each parameter affects the fusion process and determined the optimal parameter range that promotes fusion. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of fusogenic nanoparticles with potential biotechnological and biomedical applications.
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