How nature modulates inherent fluctuations for biological self-organization - The case of membrane fusion

Abstract

Biological systems in nano-scale, due to the weak electrostatic interactions and structural connectivity therein, are flexible so that they undergo conformational transition subject to thermal fluctuations and external noises. In the presence of barriers, nature utilizes the fluctuations to give rise to self-organization, typically accompanied by conformational transitions. In two opposing membranes with like-charges, the cooperative coupling between the undulation and charge fluctuations give rise to a dynamic instability to spontaneous growth of the in-phase membrane undulation, and thus a great reduction of the energy barrier to fusion. The multivalent counter-ions, the Ca2+ for example, enhance the necessary charge density fluctuation leading to surface charge inversion and overcondensation.