Unbinding transitions and phase separation of multicomponent membranes.
Multicomponent membranes in contact with another surface or wall are studied by a variety of theoretical methods and Monte Carlo simulations. The membranes contain adhesion molecules which are attracted to the wall and, thus, act as local stickers. It is shown that this system undergoes lateral phase separation leading to discontinuous unbinding transitions if the adhesion molecules are larger than the nonadhesive membrane components. This process is driven by an effective line tension which depends on the size of the stickers and arises from the interplay of shape fluctuations and sticker clusters.
Weikl
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MPI für Kolloid- and Grenzflächenforschung, Am Mühlenberg, 14476 Golm, Germany.
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Lipowsky
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D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010316:Particle Size; D000267:Tissue Adhesions
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D008563:Membrane Lipids