title: Light-Controlled Membrane Mechanics and Shape Transitions of Photoswitchable Lipid Vesicles.
abstract: Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) represent a versatile model system to emulate the fundamental properties and functions associated with the plasma membrane of living cells. Deformability and shape transitions of lipid vesicles are closely linked to the mechanical properties of the bilayer membrane itself and are typically difficult to control under physiological conditions. Here, we developed a protocol to form cell-sized vesicles from an azobenzene-containing phosphatidylcholine (azo-PC), which undergoes photoisomerization on irradiation with UV-A and visible light. Photoswitching within the photolipid vesicles enabled rapid and precise control of the mechanical properties of the membrane. By varying the intensity and dynamics of the optical stimulus, controlled vesicle shape changes such as budding transitions, invagination, pearling, or the formation of membrane tubes were achieved. With this system, we could mimic the morphology changes normally seen in cells, in the absence of any molecular machines associated with the cytoskeleton. Furthermore, we devised a mechanism to utilize photoswitchable lipid membranes for storing mechanical energy and then releasing it on command as locally usable work.
authors.affiliation: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group, Department of Physics and CeNS, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany.|Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Schellingstraße 4, 80799 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pernpeintner
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group, Department of Physics and CeNS, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0205-8268
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.affiliation: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group, Department of Physics and CeNS, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Roeske
authors.affiliation: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group, Department of Physics and CeNS, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Pritzl
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Butenandtstraße 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.|Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Schellingstraße 4, 80799 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6782-6056
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trauner
authors.affiliation: Photonics and Optoelectronics Group, Department of Physics and CeNS, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Amalienstraße 54, 80799 Munich, Germany.|Nanosystems Initiative Munich, Schellingstraße 4, 80799 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Theobald
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2699-7067
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lohmüller
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007536:Isomerism; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D053835:Unilamellar Liposomes