{
  "abstract": "Azobenzene photolipids are versatile actuators of membrane mechanics and protein function, yet long-wavelength control and leaflet-selective perturbations remain difficult to impose. Here, we address both limitations. First, we show that red-light excitation of a lipidated Nile Blue derivative (NB-lipid) catalyzes rapid and reversible cis[->]trans photoisomerization of co-localized azobenzene photolipids without requiring covalent conjugation. Second, we demonstrate that photocatalysis is predominantly intraleaflet, enabling leaflet-selective actuation by incorporating the membrane-targeted chromophore into only one bilayer leaflet. This enables on-demand and rapid writing of transbilayer mechanical asymmetry, which we track via lock-in capacitance signatures. Critically, symmetric and asymmetric leaflet mechanical perturbations can be evoked within the same membrane by illuminating with blue or red light, respectively. Photocatalysis of electron-rich azobenzenes is anticipated to proceed via the singlet excited state of NB-lipid and thus avoids triplet-state phototoxicity. We underscore the biocompatibility of catalysis by demonstrating the effect of leaflet-specific catalyzed perturbations on the ROS-sensitive mechanosensitive peptide ion channel gramicidin A. Our results establish a novel tool for dissecting the role of dynamic leaflet-specific mechanical changes in membrane remodeling and protein function.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Johannes Kepler University"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "R. Yadav"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Pfeffermann"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "P. Pohl"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/15fd7qq5kn1y9.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.14.751465",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.14.751465v1.full",
  "id": "15fd7qq5kn1y9",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.14.751465v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "biophysics"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7213872925",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.14.751465v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-14",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/15fd7qq5kn1y9.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:23:30Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.14.751465",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.14.751465v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "biorxiv:biophysics",
      "subfield": "biophysics"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Optical control of membrane mechanics via global and red-light-catalyzed, leaflet-selective photolipid switching",
  "title_text": "Optical control of membrane mechanics via global and red-light-catalyzed, leaflet-selective photolipid switching",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:23:30Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/15fd7qq5kn1y9",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}