Near-critical fluctuations and cytoskeleton-assisted phase separation lead to subdiffusion in cell membranes

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to explore how near-critical fluctuations and cytoskeleton interactions cause subdiffusion and phase separation in cell membranes, providing a minimal model for membrane rafts.

Contribution

It introduces a realistic simulation model linking membrane heterogeneity, phase separation, and subdiffusive behavior influenced by cytoskeleton interactions.

Findings

Near-critical fluctuations induce transient subdiffusion.

Cytoskeleton interactions promote phase separation and hop diffusion.

The model captures features of membrane rafts with phase separation and subdiffusion.

Abstract

We address the relationship between membrane microheterogeneity and anomalous subdiffusion in cell membranes by carrying out Monte Carlo simulations of two-component lipid membranes. We find that near-critical fluctuations in the membrane lead to transient subdiffusion, while membrane-cytoskeleton interaction strongly affects phase separation, enhances subdiffusion, and eventually leads to hop diffusion of lipids. Thus, we present a minimum realistic model for membrane rafts showing the features of both microscopic phase separation and subdiffusion.