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Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Reconstitution of Septin Assembly at Membranes to Study Biophysical Properties and Functions
Published on: July 28, 2022
Mechanochemical Rules for Shape-Shifting Filaments that Remodel Membranes
Billie Meadowcroft1,2,3, Ivan Palaia1, Anna-Katharina Pfitzner4
1Institute of Science and Technology Austria, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
None:
The sequential exchange of filament composition to increase filament curvature was proposed as a mechanism for how some biological polymers deform and cut membranes. The relationship between the filament composition and its mechanical effect is lacking. We develop a kinetic model for the assembly of composite filaments that includes protein-membrane adhesion, filament mechanics and membrane mechanics. We identify the physical conditions for such a membrane remodeling and show this mechanism of sequential polymer assembly lowers the energetic barrier for membrane deformation.
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