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Interplay between surface and bending energy helps membrane protrusion formation.

Raj Kumar Sadhu1, Sakuntala Chatterjee1

  • 1Department of Theoretical Sciences, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, India.

Physical Review. E
|October 3, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Growing filaments unexpectedly form membrane protrusions more easily as surface tension increases. This counterintuitive finding reveals a complex interplay between surface and bending energies, impacting membrane dynamics.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Filamentous growth drives membrane deformation.
  • Membrane protrusions involve surface and bending energy costs.
  • Surface tension and bending rigidity typically resist protrusion formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the effect of surface tension on filament-induced membrane protrusion formation.
  • Analyze the interplay between surface and bending energies.
  • Explain the non-trivial dependence of membrane velocity on surface tension.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling of a one-dimensional elastic membrane.
  • Analysis of surface and bending energy contributions.
  • Examination of the qualitative shape changes in the membrane.

Main Results:

  • Increased surface tension facilitates easier protrusion formation for fixed bending rigidity.
  • Membrane velocity exhibits a dip and peak dependence on surface tension.
  • The interplay of surface and bending energies drives these phenomena.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals an unusual mechanism where increasing surface tension aids protrusion formation.
  • This phenomenon arises from the coupled effects of surface and bending energies on membrane shape.
  • The findings offer insights into the mechanics of growing filaments and membrane dynamics.