Cell–cell fusogens

Cell-cell fusion occurs when both actin cytoskeleton and fusogenic proteins properly rearrange across the cell membrane.

They were first identified when EFF-1 mutants were found to "block cell fusion in all epidermal and vulval epithelia" in the roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans.

[2] EFF-AFF is a family of type I membrane glycoproteins that act as cell–cell fusogens, named from ''Anchor cell fusion failure''.

"Thus FFs comprise an ancient family of cellular fusogens that can promote fusion when expressed on a viral particle.

These fusogens mediate cell-cell fusion and can perform neuron repairs, auto-fusion, and sealing of the phagosomes.

These chemical agents can play a significant part in sexual and asexual reproduction by promoting the fusion of the membrane bilayers.

[6] With sexual reproduction, evidence found to prove that in mice, some mandatory sperm-egg fusogens are responsible for fusion; two particular proteins were IZUMO1 and CD9.

After comparing the data of experiments done with plants, fungi, and invertebrates, it was seen that several crucial genes could have been responsible for fertilization.

Some potential uses of cell-cell fusogens studied are cancer vaccines and the regeneration of damaged cells.