Packing of flexible nanofibers in vesicles

GJ Zou and X Yi and WP Zhu and HJ Gao, EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS, 19, 20-26 (2018).

DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2017.12.003

Cellular packing of flexible nanofibers, including natural cytoskeletal microtubules, actin filaments, synthetic nanotubes and nanowires, is of fundamental interest to the understanding of a wide range of cell activities, including cell shape control, cell movement, cell division, and nano-cytotoxicity. Here, we perform molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical analysis to elucidate how the geometrical and mechanical properties of a flexible nanofiber influence its encapsulation within a lipid vesicle. Our analysis indicates that the packing morphology depends on the length and stiffness of the nanofiber, the initial configuration of the nanofiber-vesicle system and the pressure difference across the vesicle membrane. We establish a packing phase diagram based on three distinct vesicle morphologies in equilibrium, including a non-axisymmetric dumpling-shaped vesicle with a strongly curved nanofiber, a cherry-shaped vesicle with a tubular membrane protrusion enclosing a significant portion of the nanofiber, and an axisymmetric lemon-shaped vesicle with a pair of protruding tips induced by the encapsulated nanofiber. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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