ABSTRACT
The proposed mechanism of stabilization of membrane nanotubes
by coupling of the local membrane shape and the lateral density of
the membrane constituents (nanodomains) is also one of the mech-
anisms relevant for the formation and stabilization of highly curved
spherical membrane buds. Figures 10.1 and 10.2 (Ha¨gerstrand et al.,
2006; Iglicˇ et al., 2007b; Laradji and Kumar, 2004; McMahon and
Gallop, 2005; Sens and Turner, 2004, 2006; Staneva et al., 2005;
Thiele et al., 1999) show the accumulation of isotropic membrane
nanodomains (having C1m = C2m), which favour high isotropic curvature, on a small bud. The fraction of the area covered by
nanodomains increases towards the tip of the bud. As the neck
becomes narrower, the distribution approaches a step function,
while the free energy of the nanodomains lowers the free energy of
the membrane.
