Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Pulling Membrane Nanotubes from Giant Unilamellar Vesicles
Published on: December 7, 2017
Membrane composition variation and underdamped mechanics near transmembrane proteins and coats
S Alex Rautu1, George Rowlands1, Matthew S Turner1,2
1Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
We study the effect of transmembrane proteins on the shape, composition, and thermodynamic stability of the surrounding membrane. When the coupling between membrane composition and curvature is strong enough, the nearby membrane composition and shape both undergo a transition from overdamped to underdamped spatial variation, well before the membrane becomes unstable in the bulk. This transition is associated with a change in the sign of the thermodynamic energy and, hence, favors the early stages of coat assembly necessary for vesiculation (budding) and may suppress the activity of mechanosensitive membrane channels and transporters. Our results suggest an approach to obtain physical parameters of the membrane that are otherwise difficult to measure.
More Related Videos
10:02Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy as a Unique Probe for Lipid Membrane Dynamics and Membrane-Protein Interactions
Published on: May 27, 2021
07:31Author Spotlight: Advancing Cell Membrane Biophysics - Exploring Interactions and Challenges Through Experimental and Computational Approaches
Published on: September 1, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as...
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Fluid Mosaic Model
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane