BPS2026 – Spatiotemporal patterns of membranes induced by molecular binding/unbinding

Chemical waves are often observed in living cells. We studied membrane dynamics coupled with molecular binding/unbinding and reactions using coarse-grained membrane simulations. We present how the mechano-chemical feedback of curvature-inducing proteins changes Turing patterns and reaction waves. The membrane deformation stabilizes Turing patterns, and multi-spindle shapes are formed. The speed of traveling waves is positively or negatively correlated with the local membrane curvature, depending on the spontaneous curvature and bending rigidity. When the curvature-inducing molecules bind to both surfaces of the membrane and move between the two surfaces, moving biphasic domains, time-irreversible fluctuating patterns, and spiral waves emerge. The domains move ballistically or diffusively, depending on the conditions.