Unexpected softening of giant unilamellar vesicles by budding yeast septin filaments: a curvature dependent mechanism

Abstract Budding yeast septins assemble into filamentous networks bound to the inner plasma membrane. In situ or in vitro , septins are implicated in membrane deformations. We therefore suspected that septins might alter membrane mechanical properties both directly or indirectly. To decipher whether septins directly tune the rigidity of membranes, we used a cell free in vitro approach. To this end, using AFM, we measured the mechanical response of reconstituted GUVs pre-incubated with septins. Unexpectedly, we find that large GUVs (typically tens of µm diameter size) are more deformable in the presence of septins. Theoretical modeling suggests that this peculiar behavior is likely due to initial micrometer membrane “wrinkled” deformations imposed by septins. Conversely, small GUVs (1 to 2 microns in diameter) cannot undergo any micrometric deformations and are thereby less deformable with septin filaments bound. Our findings suggest that, in specific cellular context, septins could provide a membrane reservoir and eventually facilitate membrane deformations. Significance statement Filamentous cytoskeletal septins, interacting with membranes would be expected to enhance membrane rigidity. Upon mechanical stress, GUVs larger than tens of microns appear, more deformable in the presence of septins. Septins’ initial membrane reshaping is responsible for this unexpected behavior, as shown by theoretical modeling. However smaller non deformable vesicles are more rigid, with septins bound.