Prof. Masayuki Imai: Shape Deformations of Multi-Component Vesicles

Pred predavanjem vse udeležence vabimo na čaj!

Povzetek:  

   Prof. Masayuki Imai, Ochanomizu University, Tokio, Japan

   Shape Deformations of Multi-Component Vesicles

Deformations of cell membranes, such as fusion, adhesion, budding, and pore formation, play important roles in the maintenance of living cell systems. These deformations result from a complex interplay between lipids and membrane proteins. We have experimentally investigated the shape transformations of binary giant unilamellar vesicles induced by the local spontaneous curvature of the membranes due to phase separation. The heterogeneity of membrane gives rise to new shape deformation branches: Vesicles composed of inverse-cone- and cylinder-shaped lipids exhibit stalk-mediated adhesion, whereas in vesicles composed of cone- and cylinder-shaped lipids the main-chain transition of cone-shaped lipid component stimulates formation of pores whose rim may be smooth, rolled, or wrinkled. These results provide new insight into the physical basis of the shape deformation of cellular membranes.