Area Increase and Budding in Giant Vesicles Triggered by Light: Behind the Scene

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Membrane Biology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Biomembranes undergo continuous remodeling, essential for cellular functions.
• Membrane protein activity typically controls these remodeling processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of photoresponsive molecules to induce and control biomembrane remodeling.
• To elucidate the mechanisms behind light-induced shape transformations in giant vesicles.

Main Methods:

• Utilized giant vesicles in the presence of a water-soluble ortho-tetrafluoroazobenzene photoswitch (F-azo).
• Employed vesicle electrodeformation to quantify membrane area changes.
• Conducted molecular dynamics simulations to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms and F-azo partitioning.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated light-induced morphological control of giant vesicles, including budding and retraction.
• Observed an increase in membrane area exceeding 5% due to F-azo.
• Revealed that shape transformations are driven by increased membrane area and spontaneous curvature, governed by curvature elasticity.

Conclusions:

• Photoresponsive molecules can effectively control biomembrane morphology and area.
• Light-induced exo- and endocytotic events offer a novel method for dynamic membrane remodeling.
• The study provides insights into the curvature elasticity and spontaneous curvature contributions in photoinduced membrane dynamics.