BAR domains and membrane curvature: bringing your curves to the BAR.
BAR (bin, amphiphysin and Rvs161/167) domains are a unique class of dimerization domains, whose dimerization interface is edged by a membrane-binding surface. In its dimeric form, the membrane-binding interface is concave, and this gives the ability to bind better to curved membranes, i.e. to sense membrane curvature. When present at higher concentrations, the domain can stabilize membrane curvature, generating lipid tubules. This domain is found in many contexts in a wide variety of proteins, where the dimerization and membrane-binding function of this domain is likely to have a profound effect on protein activity. If these proteins function as predicted, then there will be membrane subdomains based on curvature, and thus there is an additional layer of compartmentalization on membranes. These and other possible functions of the BAR domain are discussed.
Gallop
Jennifer L
JL
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, U.K. jennyg@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk
McMahon
Harvey T
HT
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019281:Dimerization; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins