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Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
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Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
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Membrane nanotubes transform into double-membrane sheets at condensate droplets.

Ziliang Zhao1,2,3, Vahid Satarifard1,4, Reinhard Lipowsky1

  • 1Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam 14476, Germany.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|June 20, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Giant vesicle membranes form nanotubes that transform into double-membrane sheets at liquid-liquid interfaces. This morphology change, driven by free energy, offers insights into cellular organelle formation.

Keywords:
condensate interfacedouble-membrane sheetgiant unilamellar vesicles (GUV)stimulated emission depletion (STED)tube-to-sheet transformation

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Biophysics
  • Materials science

Background:

  • Cellular membranes display diverse curved structures like buds and nanotubes.
  • These morphologies are crucial for organelle formation and function.
  • Mimicking cellular compartmentation is key to understanding membrane dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate membrane morphological transformations within giant vesicles.
  • To understand the transition from membrane nanotubes to double-membrane sheets.
  • To explore the role of liquid-liquid interfaces in membrane shaping.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an aqueous two-phase system (dextran and poly(ethylene glycol)) within giant vesicles.
  • Induced osmotic deflation to trigger membrane shape changes.
  • Employed super-resolution (stimulated emission depletion) microscopy for high-resolution imaging.
  • Applied theoretical modeling to analyze free energy driving morphological transformations.

Main Results:

  • Observed nanotubes transforming into cisterna-like double-membrane sheets (DMS) at internal liquid-liquid interfaces.
  • Developed a morphology diagram predicting the tube-to-sheet transformation based on free energy.
  • Identified nanotube knots as a factor inhibiting the transformation by blocking water influx.
  • Demonstrated that decreased free energy drives the nanotube to DMS transition.

Conclusions:

  • The study elucidates the formation and transformation mechanisms between membrane nanotubes and double-membrane sheets.
  • Findings provide insights into the origin and evolution of cellular organelles.
  • Understanding these membrane dynamics is crucial for cell biology and biophysics research.