The
formation of membrane nanopores is one of the crucial activities
of cells and has attracted considerable attention. However, the understanding
of their types and mechanisms is still limited. Herein, we report
a novel nanopore formation phenomenon achieved through the insertion
of polymeric nanotoroids into the cellular membrane. As revealed by
theoretical simulations, the nanotoroid can embed in the membrane,
leaving a nanopore on the cell. The through-the-cavity wrapping of
lipids is critical for the retention of the nanotoroid in the membrane,
which is attributed to both a relatively large inner cavity of the
nanotoroid and a moderate attraction between the nanotoroid and membrane
lipids. Under the guidance of the simulation predictions, experiments
using polypeptide toroids as pore-forming agents were performed, confirming
the unique biophysical phenomenon. This work demonstrates a distinctive
pore-forming pathway, deepens the understanding of the membrane nanopore
phenomenon, and assists in the design of advanced pore-forming materials.