Protein-lipid domains in heterogeneous membranes beyond spontaneous curvature effects

TL;DR

This paper presents an exact solution model of lipid bilayer membranes with coupled composition and configuration, revealing complex domain behaviors and phase features beyond spontaneous curvature effects.

Contribution

It introduces a coupled Gaussian-elastic model for membranes, providing exact correlation functions and domain analysis, advancing understanding of membrane heterogeneity.

Findings

Identification of Fisher-Widom line in membrane model

Discovery of two distinct critical regions

Comparison of six domain size quantification methods

Abstract

We study a model of a lipid bilayer membrane described by two order parameters: the chemical composition described using the Gaussian model and the spatial configuration described with the elastic deformation model of a membrane with a finite thickness, or equivalently, for an adherent membrane. We assume and explain on physical grounds the linear coupling between the two order parameters. Using the exact solution, we calculate the correlation functions and order parameters profiles. We also study the domains that form around inclusions on the membrane. We propose and compare six distinct ways to quantify the size of such domains. Despite of its simplicity, the model has many interesting features like Fisher-Widom line or two distinct critical regions.