Gradient sensing in reactive, ternary membranes.
Using computer simulations, we investigate the behavior of reactive ternary ABC membranes that are subjected to an external, spatially nonuniform stimulus, which controls the rate of interconversion between the A and B components. We assume that A and B have different spontaneous curvatures. Furthermore, the C component is taken to be nonreactive and incompatible with both A and B. We find that a gradient in the applied stimulus causes the dynamic reconstruction of the membrane, with a preferential reorientation of the reactive AB domains along the gradient. In addition, the external gradient effectively controls the transport of the nonreactive C component within the membrane. The latter effect could potentially be exploited for cleaning the membrane of the nonreactive C "impurities" or for the targeted delivery of the C component to specific locations.
Kuksenok
Olga
O
Chemical Engineering Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
Balazs
Anna C
AC
D001692:Biological Transport; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008954:Models, Biological; D013499:Surface Properties
D008567:Membranes, Artificial