[SMaLS] Entropy-induced curvature: How nonequilibrium protein pattern formation influences cell shape

Speaker: Jan Willeke (PhD in LMU Munich)

Title: Entropy-induced curvature: How nonequilibrium protein pattern formation influences cell shape

Abstract:
Cell morphology plays a critical role in guiding protein pattern formation, thereby facilitating spatiotemporal self-organization in cells. Conversely, it has also been shown that proteins can locally induce shape deformations through various mechanisms. However, many of these mechanisms rely on specific protein properties, therefore limiting their general applicability to induce curvature. In this study, we propose a thermodynamically grounded and generic mechanism by which membrane-anchored proteins undergoing out-of-equilibrium dynamics generate curvature. Using a continuum approach, we demonstrate how a finite distance between cell membrane and the cytosolic domain of a protein induces an effective spontaneous curvature that competes with effective pressure differences generated by ATP-driven protein reactions. Notably, we find that entropy alone is sufficient to induce curvature. Finally, we apply the theory to propose an explanation to the recently observed Min protein-induced blebbing of vesicles.