Steric confinement of proteins on lipid membranes can drive curvature and tubulation.

ABSTRACT: Deformation of lipid membranes into curved structures such as buds and tubules is essential to many cellular structures including endocytic pits and filopodia. Binding of specific proteins to lipid membranes has been shown to promote membrane bending during endocytosis and transport vesicle formation. Additionally, specific lipid species are found to colocalize with many curved membrane structures, inspiring ongoing exploration of a variety of roles for lipid domains in membrane bending. However, the specific mechanisms by which lipids and proteins collaborate to induce curvature remain unknown. Here we demonstrate a new mechanism for induction and amplification of lipid membrane curvature that relies on steric confinement of protein binding on membrane surfaces. Using giant lipid vesicles

SUBMITTER: Stachowiak JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2867881 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature