Lipid redistribution due to a cell-cell fusion pore.

ABSTRACT

We consider the redistribution of lipids comprising the plasma membranes during cell-cell fusion, particularly due to the presence of a fusion pore. Assuming the membranes are of constant thickness, we find that the mole fraction of cholesterol increases in the directly apposed exoplasmic leaflets, and is decreased in the cytoplasmic leaflets. The redistribution of the phospholipids is obtained as well.