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Mechanism of Membrane Tube Formation Induced by Adhesive Nanocomponents

Anđela Šarić and Angelo Cacciuto
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 188101 – Published 31 October 2012
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Abstract

We report numerical simulations of membrane tubulation driven by large colloidal particles. Using Monte Carlo simulations we study how the process depends on particle size and binding strength, and present accurate free energy calculations to sort out how tube formation compares with the competing budding process. We find that tube formation is a result of the collective behavior of the particles adhering on the surface, and it occurs for binding strengths that are smaller than those required for budding. We also find that long linear aggregates of particles forming on the membrane surface act as nucleation seeds for tubulation by lowering the free energy barrier associated to the process.

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  • Received 15 June 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.188101

© 2012 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Membrane Inclusions and Protrusions

Published 31 October 2012

Tubulelike structures form when multiple nanoparticles adhere to the inner or outer surfaces of a spherical membrane.

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Authors & Affiliations

Anđela Šarić and Angelo Cacciuto*

  • Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, 3000 Broadway, MC 3123, New York, NY 10027, USA

  • *Corresponding author. ac2822@columbia.edu

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Issue

Vol. 109, Iss. 18 — 2 November 2012

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