Progress in Membrane Fusion and Its Application in Drug Delivery

Membrane fusion plays an important role in regulating life activities of organisms. Intracellular membrane fusion plays a role in promoting the function of intracellular substances throughout the life cycle of an organism. The fusion of viruses and cell membranes may mark the end of life of an organism. However, due to the complexity of living cells, the interpretation of the results of organism research is often ambiguous. At present, only a few protein structures on the cell membrane, such as the soluble N-ethyl maleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNARE) protein family and its role in promoting membrane fusion, are gradually being explored. In order to better study the mechanism of membrane fusion, a related artificial model system has been established to simulate biofilm fusion, such as a membrane fusion research biological model established by using DNA strand modified liposomes and coiled-coil modified liposomes. This paper reviews the mechanism of SNARE-promoting membrane fusion and the established DNA and coiled-coil polypeptide-mediated membrane fusion studies, as well as the development of membrane fusion in drug delivery.