Cell membranes are quasi-bidimensional soft systems formed by multipoles in an ordered array that can be polarized in an electric field. Consequently, electrostatic potentials emerge inside membranes, and membranes respond to external electric fields. From a mechanical perspective, membranes can be easily compressed–expanded, laterally deformed, and curved. Bending is particularly easy, and this kind of deformation translates to changes in the relative positions of the negative and positive charges, leading to strain gradient-induced polarization. Conversely, an external electric field gradient will exert a bending stress that translates to mechanical membrane deformation. These phenomena are described through membrane flexoelectricity. Here, we describe this property in lipid bilayers and cell membranes and summarize the studies in the field with emphasis on the effects promoted by membrane asymmetry.
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March 2023
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The cover for this issue of Emerging Topics in Life Science features homogeneous membranes at macroscale have non-uniform molecular distribution at mesoscale. Read more in “Close, but not too close: A mesoscopic description of (a)symmetry and membrane shaping mechanisms” from Pezeshkian and colleagues on pp 81-93.
Review Article|
March 14 2023
Out-of-plane deformability and its coupling with electrostatics in biomembranes
Natalia Wilke
;
Natalia Wilke
1Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
2Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba (CIQUIBIC), CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, X5000HUA Córdoba, Argentina
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Dayane S. Alvares
Dayane S. Alvares
3Department of Physics, UNESP/IBILCE, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil
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Emerg Top Life Sci (2023) 7 (1): 111–124.
Article history
Received:
January 09 2023
Revision Received:
January 26 2023
Accepted:
February 21 2023
Citation
Natalia Wilke, Dayane S. Alvares; Out-of-plane deformability and its coupling with electrostatics in biomembranes. Emerg Top Life Sci 31 March 2023; 7 (1): 111–124. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/ETLS20230001
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