Membrane fusion based on the geometry of the stalk model

作者：Hadzhilazova Mariana^*; Ganghoffer Jean Francois; Mladenov Ivailo M

来源：Mechanics Research Communications, 2015, 63: 54-60.

DOI：10.1016/j.mechrescom.2014.11.004

• Lipid membranes
• Stalk model
• Nodoid surfaces
• Membrane fusion
• Closed form solution
• Internal stresses

It is a commonly accepted assumption that membrane fusion involves an hourglass-shaped local contact between two monolayers of opposing Membranes, an intermediate structure called a stalk. The shape of the stalk is considered as an axisymmetrical figure of revolution in 3D space, with a planar geometry in the initial configuration. The total energy of the stalk is evaluated from the assumption that the stalk has a constant curvature. Its negative value due to the presence of spontaneous curvature promotes hemifusion. An extension of the original model developed in Markin and Albanesi [23] is proposed, in which any geometrical feature of the stalks can be expressed in explicit form, by considering the stalks as nodoid surfaces. The local stresses and induced internal moments due the membrane bending are evaluated based on the adopted parameterization.

• 出版日期2015-1