The role of virus geometry and matrix proteins in envelope and host membrane fusion

Many medically important viruses, including influenza, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2, are enveloped by a lipid membrane. Therefore, a crucial step in the infection involves the fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. Membrane fusion consists of a series of non-bilayer intermediate configurations with two significant energy barriers, each with a magnitude of dozens of kBT. The first energy barrier is the merger of the proximal monolayers, a well-studied process requiring the mechanical work of the viral fusion proteins.