Anna V. Shnyrova

TL;DR: It is shown that short CNTs spontaneously insert into lipid bilayers and live cell membranes to form channels that exhibit a unitary conductance of 70–100 picosiemens under physiological conditions, thereby establishing these nanopores as a promising biomimetic platform for developing cell interfaces, studying transport in biological channels, and creating stochastic sensors.

TL;DR: Using lipid nanotubes as substrates to directly measure geometric intermediates of the fission pathway, it is found that GTP hydrolysis limits dynamin polymerization into short, metastable collars that are optimal for fission.

TL;DR: Molecular simulations corroborate the bimodal character of dynamin action and indicate radial and axial forces as dominant, although not independent, drivers of hemi-fission and fission transformations, respectively.

TL;DR: The fundamental principles behind the translation of molecular geometry into membrane shape and topology during fission are reviewed and the central role the membrane insertion of specialized protein domains plays in orchestrating fission in vitro and in cells is emphasized.

TL;DR: It is shown that the ER-membrane protein Reticulon (Rtnl1) can constrict ER bilayers and lead to ER fission, suggesting a principle whereby the dynamic balance between fusion and fission controlling organelle morphology depends on membrane motility.