Theory of chiral lipid tubules

Abstract

We present a continuum theory for the self-assembly of cylindrical tubules from chiral lipid bilayers in any tilted fluid phase. This theory shows that tubule formation is driven by an intrinsic bending force due to molecular chirality, and gives the radius in terms of the continuum parameters. The radius diverges as an untilted phase is approached. The theory also predicts that the tilt direction is modulated in a helical striped pattern on the tubule. This striped pattern is consistent with helical patterns observed in electron micrographs of lipid tubules.