Dynamics of non-equilibrium membrane bud formation

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical study of how lipid membranes respond dynamically to local asymmetries, leading to non-equilibrium bud formation with a predicted preferred size due to membrane-solvent response crossover.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model explaining the size selection mechanism of membrane buds resulting from local molecular asymmetries.

Findings

A preferred bud size in the micrometer range is predicted.

Membrane response involves lipid diffusion and curvature depending on perturbation size.

A crossover between membrane and solvent dynamics governs size selection.

Abstract

The dynamical response of a lipid membrane to a local perturbation of its molecular symmetry is investigated theoretically. A density asymmetry between the two membrane leaflets is predominantly released by in-plane lipid diffusion or membrane curvature, depending upon the spatial extent of the perturbation. It may result in the formation of non-equilibrium structures (buds), for which a dynamical size selection is observed. A preferred size in the micrometer range is predicted, as a signature of the crossover between membrane and solvent dominated dynamical membrane response.