Dynamical description of vesicle growth and shape change

TL;DR

This paper develops a thermodynamic framework to describe vesicle growth and shape change, predicting shape preferences based on vesicle size, and refines previous models with improved assumptions.

Contribution

It provides a systematic thermodynamic model for vesicle shape transitions, including membrane tension effects, and corrects earlier calculations with a more consistent formulation.

Findings

Small vesicles tend to become prolate ellipsoids.

Large vesicles are more likely to become oblate ellipsoids.

The model's predictions depend on the assumptions made in the derivation.

Abstract

We systematize and extend the description of vesicle growth and shape change using linear nonequilibrium thermodynamics. By restricting the study to shape changes from spheres to axisymmetric ellipsoids, we are able to give a consistent formulation which includes the lateral tension of the vesicle membrane. This allows us to generalize and correct a previous calculation. Our present calculations suggest that, for small growing vesicles, a prolate ellipsoidal shape should be favored over oblate ellipsoids, whereas for large growing vesicles oblates should be favored over prolates. The validity of this prediction is examined in the light of the various assumptions made in its derivation.