Cations induce shape remodeling of negatively charged phospholipid membranes.

ABSTRACT: The divalent cation Ca²⁺ is a key component in many cell signaling and membrane trafficking pathways. Ca²⁺ signal transduction commonly occurs through interaction with protein partners. However, in this study we show a novel mechanism by which Ca²⁺ may impact membrane structure. We find an asymmetric concentration of Ca²⁺ across the membrane triggers deformation of membranes containing negatively charged lipids such as phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂). Membrane invaginations in vesicles were observed forming away from the leaflet with higher Ca²⁺ concentration, showing that Ca²⁺ induces negative curvature. We hypothesize that the negative curvature is produced by Ca

SUBMITTER: Graber ZT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5562360 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature