Shape variation of bilayer membrane daughter vesicles induced by anisotropic membrane inclusions

Cell Mol Biol Lett. 2006;11(1):90-101. doi: 10.2478/s11658-006-0009-3.

Abstract

A theoretical model of a two-component bilayer membrane was used in order to describe the influence of anisotropic membrane inclusions on shapes of membrane daughter micro and nano vesicles. It was shown that for weakly anisotropic inclusions the stable vesicle shapes are only slightly out-of-round. In contrast, for strongly anisotropic inclusions the stable vesicle shapes may significantly differ from spheres, i.e. they have a flattened oblate shape at small numbers of inclusions in the membrane, and an elongated cigar-like prolate shape at high numbers of inclusions in the vesicle membrane.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anisotropy
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / chemistry
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Inclusion Bodies / chemistry
  • Inclusion Bodies / physiology*
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Phospholipids / chemistry
  • Phospholipids / metabolism

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phospholipids