The mechanics and thermodynamics of tubule formation in biological membranes

Abstract: Membrane tubulation is a ubiquitous process that occurs both at the plasma membrane and on the membranes of intracellular organelles. These tubulation events are known to be mediated by forces applied on the membrane either due to motor proteins, by polymerization of the cytoskeleton, or due to the interactions between membrane proteins binding onto the membrane. The numerous experimental observations of tube formation have been amply supported by mathematical modeling of the associated membrane mechanics and have provided insights into the force-displacement relationships of membrane tubes. Recent advances in quantitative biophysical measurements of membrane-protein interactions and tubule formation have necessitated the need for advances in modeling that will account for the interplay of multiple aspects of physics that occur simultaneously. Here, we present a comprehensive review of experimental observations of tubule formation and provide context from the framework of continuum modeling. Finally, we explore the scope for future research in this area with an emphasis on iterative modeling and experimental measurements that will enable us to expand our mechanistic understanding of tubulation processes in cells.