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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Drawing and Hydrophobicity-patterning Long Polydimethylsiloxane Silicone Filaments
Published on: January 7, 2019
Dynamic and elastic shape transitions in curved ESCRT-III filaments
Nicolas Chiaruttini1, Aurélien Roux2
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The ESCRT-III complex is an evolutionary ancient and conserved complex that catalyzes fission of lipid membranes from the lumen of the neck in many, if not all processes requiring this specific fission reaction. The ESCRT-III membrane remodeling complex is unique as its molecular and polymeric structures do not intuitively suggests how it could deform and break lipid membranes. Here we review the common structural features of the ESCRT-III subunits, and the shape diversity of the various filamentous forms. We propose a simple geometry and elasticity framework that could help to isolate which features of the ESCRT-III filaments are common to all filamentous forms as well as to explain their diversity. We speculate on how these features could provide mechanistic insights into the many functions of the ESCRT-III complex.
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