Eur. Phys. J. E (2004) 14: 3-6
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2004-10005-5

Rapid Note

Multiple stalk formation as a pathway of defect-induced membrane fusion

FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics, Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

^* e-mail: lukatsky@amolf.nl

Received: 31 March 2004
Published online: 2 June 2004

Abstract

We propose that the first stage of membrane fusion need not be the formation of a single stalk. Instead, we consider a scenario for defect-induced membrane fusion that proceeds cooperatively via multiple stalk formation. The defects (stalks or pores) attract each other via membrane-mediated capillary interactions that result in a condensation transition of the defects. The resulting dense phase of stalks corresponds to the so-called fusion intermediate.