Protein induced lipid demixing in homogeneous membranes

Specific lipid environments are necessary for the establishment of protein signaling platforms in membranes, yet their origin has been highly debated. We present a continuum, exactly solvable model of protein induced local demixing of lipid membranes. The coupling between a local composition and a local thickness of the membrane induces lipid domains around inclusions with hydrophobic mismatch, even for temperatures above the miscibility critical point of the membrane. The model qualitatively explains the experimentally observed formation of lipid domains induced by anchoring of reconstituted actin in flat supported lipid bilayers.

Automated summary

The establishment of protein signaling platforms in membranes relies on specific lipid environments, the origin of which has been highly debated. A model of protein-induced local demixing of lipid membranes shows the qualitative formation of lipid domains induced by the anchoring of reconstituted actin in flat supported lipid bilayers, even at temperatures above the miscibility critical point of the membrane.