title: The effect of receptor clustering on diffusion-limited forward rate constants.
abstract: The effect of receptor clustering on the diffusion-limited forward rate constant (k+) is studied theoretically by modeling cell surface receptors by hemispheres distributed on a plane. We give both exact results and bounds. The exact results are obtained using an electrostatic analogue and applying the method of the images. Accurate upper bounds on k+ are found from a variational principle.
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D004058:Diffusion; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008954:Models, Biological; D011485:Protein Binding; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface