HighGenMem · Conformations of High Topological Genus Membranes

Conformations of High Topological Genus Membranes

Biomembranes are an integral component of cellular architecture. They provide identity to the cell itself as well as to many internal organelles. Moreover, model membranes such as vesicles have a wide range of applications in biotechnology, including drug delivery and vaccine development. A key feature of both cellular and artificial membranes is their ability to adopt a variety of configurations, as seen in the diverse morphologies of cellular organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Membrane shape remodeling is essential for many cellular processes, including endocytosis, cell division, and mitochondrial respiration. Genetic mutations that disrupt cellular membrane architecture are implicated in diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy and liver dysfunction. While membranes are flexible and easily bent, their surface topology is much more resistant to change. Altering topology requires processes such as membrane fission and fusion, which are hindered by high energy barriers and typically rely on active mechanisms. As a result, in most membrane remodeling processes, the surface topology can be considered effectively constant. Topology is characterized by the topological genus g, which counts the number of handles attached to a sphere (Fig. 1). Over the past decades, the shapes of fluid lipid membranes with spherical topology (g=0) have been extensively studied experimentally, theoretically, and through computer simulations. However, our understanding of membranes with higher genus remains extremely limited. High-genus membrane shapes are of interest for two main reasons: (i) organelle membranes such as those in mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus exhibit high-genus topologies, and (ii) such structures allow for a much broader range of membrane shapes, which is essential for material design, for instance in the division machinery of artificial cells. Therefore, expanding our understanding of membranes with high-genus topologies is critical for both biological and biotechnological applications. The goal of this research proposal is to describe and characterize the conformations of high-genus membranes using multiscale computer simulation techniques. Throughout the project, the aim was to advance the following objectives: not only to provide a clear understanding of the importance of high-genus membranes (Ob2,Ob3): Ob1) To develop a new energy potential, beyond Helfrich Hamiltonian (HH) for mesoscopic simulation of biomembranes. Ob2) To leverage the advanced mesoscopic and the new energy potential to model and describe different shape classes of high-genus membranes. Ob3) To describe the lateral and spatial organizations of complex membranes of high-genus topology.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз