Lysenin Induced Membrane Curvature on Erythrocytes and Nanoporous Mica Free Standing Membranes

Lysenin pores on erythrocytes and model membranes curve the membrane into rigid, dome-like supramolecular structures rather than acting only as passive cylindrical conduits.

• Why it matters: Beta porin toxins’ large-scale membrane remodeling is not well explained, even though their virulence depends on structural alteration of host membranes beyond pore formation.
• What they did: The study combines erythrocytes, model membranes, and engineered nanopores on mica substrates, then uses a hybrid biophysical/architectural model of pendentive domes with wedge-shaped monomer geometry.
• The result: Mechanical testing shows a non-linear stiffness dependence on lysenin dome radius of curvature, supporting that beta-PFTs induce curvature via wedge assembly and may hinder host membrane repair.

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