Biophysical modeling of membrane curvature generation and curvature sensing by the glycocalyx.

ABSTRACT: Generation of membrane curvature is fundamental to cellular function. Recent studies have established that the glycocalyx, a sugar-rich polymer layer at the cell surface, can generate membrane curvature. While there have been some theoretical efforts to understand the interplay between the glycocalyx and membrane bending, there remain open questions about how the properties of the glycocalyx affect membrane bending. For example, the relationship between membrane curvature and the density of glycosylated proteins on its surface remains unclear. In this work, we use polymer brush theory to develop a detailed biophysical model of the energetic interactions of the glycocalyx with the membrane. Using this model, we identify the conditions under which the glycocalyx can both generate and sense c

SUBMITTER: Xiao K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11873937 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature