Coupling anisotropic curvature and nematic orderRavid, Yoav (Avtor) Penič, Samo (Avtor) Mesarec, Luka (Avtor) Gov, Nir S. (Avtor) Kralj-Iglič, Veronika (Avtor) Iglič, Aleš (Avtor) Drab, Mitja (Avtor) lipid bilayersimulationsMonte-CarlocurvaturecellsThis study theoretically investigates how anisotropic curved membrane components (CMCs) control vesicle morphology through curvature sensing, nematic alignment, topological defects and volume constraints. By comparing arc- and saddle-shaped CMCs, we identify a rich spectrum of steady-state phases. For fully CMC-covered vesicles, arc-shaped components drive a pearling-to-cylinder transition as nematic interactions strengthen, while on partially CMC-covered vesicles the saddle-shaped CMCs stabilize necks between the convex regions of bare membrane. We map the steady-state shapes of vesicles partially covered by arc- and saddle-shaped CMCs, exposing how different vesicle shapes depend on the interplay between nematic interactions and volume constraints, revealing several novel phases. By investigating the in-plane nematic field, we find that topological defects consistently localize to high-curvature regions, revealing how intrinsic and deviatoric curvature effects cooperate in membrane remodeling. These findings establish a unified framework for understanding how proteins and lipid domains with anisotropic intrinsic curvature shape cellular structures—from organelle morphogenesis to global cell shape.20252026-01-15 14:53:23Članek v reviji177997UDK: 577ISSN pri članku: 1744-6848DOI: 10.1039/D5SM00620ACOBISS_ID: 248952579sl