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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
07:31
Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
Published on: September 1, 2023
Dynamics of biomembranes with active multiple-state inclusions
Hsuan-Yi Chen1, Alexander S Mikhailov
1Department of Physics and Institute of Biophysics, National Central University, Jhongli 32001, Taiwan and Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
Summary
Active biomembranes with multiple-state protein inclusions exhibit dynamic instabilities. Increased chemical energy supply can trigger wave patterns in membrane curvature and protein density, requiring at least three protein states.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Soft Matter Physics
- Membrane Biophysics
Background:
- Biomembranes are dynamic structures with embedded active molecules.
- Proteins with multiple conformational states can influence membrane properties.
- Nonequilibrium processes are crucial for biological functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nonequilibrium dynamics of biomembranes with active, multiple-state inclusions.
- To analyze the feedback mechanisms between protein conformational changes and membrane curvature.
- To determine the conditions for instability and pattern formation.
Main Methods:
- Development of a kinetic description for the system.
- Analytical investigation of the uniform stationary state's stability.
- Mathematical modeling of hydrodynamical flows and curvature effects.
Main Results:
- A uniform stationary state becomes unstable above a chemical energy supply threshold.
- Spontaneous formation of stationary or traveling waves in membrane curvature and inclusion density.
- Characteristic wavelengths of hundreds of nanometers and frequencies below 1000 Hz observed.
- Instabilities are contingent upon at least three internal protein states.
Conclusions:
- Active biomembranes can exhibit complex emergent dynamics.
- Feedback between protein activity and membrane geometry drives pattern formation.
- Multiple internal protein states are essential for observed instabilities.
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