Stresses in lipid membranes

Fluid lipid membranes: from differential geometry to curvature stresses.

A fluid lipid membrane transmits stresses and torques that are fully determined by its geometry. They can be described by a stress- and torque-tensor, respectively, which yield the force or torque per length through any curve drawn on the membrane's surface. In the absence of external forces or torques the surface divergence of these tensors vanishes, revealing them as conserved quantities of t...

Lipid Properties in Membranes

branes separating two aqeous phases: Formation of a membrane of a single composition," J. Mol. Biol. 8 (1964): 148-160. 38. Ghosh, D., M. A. Williams, and J. Tinoco, "The influence of lecithin structure on their monolayer behavior and interactions with cholesterol," Biochim, Biophys. Acta 291 (1973): 351-362. 39. MacDonald, R. C., and S. A. Simon, "Lipid monolayer states and their relationships...

Lipid Membranes

Lipid-protein interactions in membranes.

The interactions of lipids with integral and peripheral proteins can be studied in reconstituted and natural membranes using spin label electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The ESR spectra reveal a reduction in mobility of the spin-labelled lipid species, and in certain cases evidence is obtained for a partial penetration of the peripheral proteins into the membrane. The latter may be re...

Lipid Membranes in Poxvirus Replication

Poxviruses replicate in the cytoplasm, where they acquire multiple lipoprotein membranes. Although a proposal that the initial membrane arises de novo has not been substantiated, there is no accepted explanation for its formation from cellular membranes. A subsequent membrane-wrapping step involving modified trans-Golgi or endosomal cisternae results in a particle with three membranes. These wr...