Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.109, No.44, 21145-21149, 2005
Influence of spontaneous curvature and microtubules on the conformations of lipid vesicles
The conformations of vesicles deformed by microtubules are studied within the framework of the curvature energy. The phenomenon in which the destruction of a microtubule is followed by the formation of peristaltic shapes on a protrusion created by the microtubule is investigated. The influence of the spontaneous curvature on the conformations of vesicles is examined, and the results are compared to existing experiments. The elastic properties of a vesicle deformed by the microtubule are studied.