Distinct Structural Responses of Lipid Bilayers to Horizontal and Vertical Electric Fields.

ABSTRACT: Electric fields modulate the structure and mechanical properties of biological membranes, influencing diverse cellular processes. While the effects of vertical electric fields (E_Vert) across the membranes have been extensively studied, the influence of horizontal (in-plane) electric fields (E_Horz) remains poorly understood. Here, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and bright-field imaging of planar lipid bilayers (PLBs), fundamental components of biological membranes, we investigate how E_Horz and E_Vert affect lipid bilayer properties. Simulations revealed that E_Horz induces greater structural changes than E_Vert, such as membrane area r

SUBMITTER: Kageyama H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12536441 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature