Curvature-driven membrane lipid and protein distribution

Cellular transport requires that membranes have the ability to recruit specific lipids and proteins to particular positions and at specific times. Here, we review recent work showing that lipids and proteins can be redistributed by spatially varying membrane curvature, without necessarily the need for biochemical targeting signals. We present here an emerging understanding of the various mechanisms by which membrane curvature can sort lipids and proteins, providing the experimental methods in addition to the supporting theoretical concepts.