Health Dictionary
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Fusion mechanism
Introduction
The fusion mechanism is the mechanism by which cell fusion takes place. Cell fusion is the formation of a hybrid cell from two different cells of different species.[1][2]
The term cell fusion mechanism refers to the receptors required for cells to fuse, whereas the term cell fusion refers to the action of formation of the new cell.
One example of the cellular fusion mechanism is that of HIV infecting the body. HIV infects by fusing with the membranes of immune system cells. In order for HIV to fuse with a cell, it must be able to bind to the receptors CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4.[3]