Cluster phases of membrane proteins.
A physical scenario accounting for the existence of size-limited submicrometric domains in cell membranes is proposed. It is based on the numerical investigation of the counterpart, in lipidic membranes where proteins are diffusing, of the recently discovered cluster phases in colloidal suspensions. I demonstrate that the interactions between proteins, namely, short-range attraction and longer-range repulsion, make possible the existence of stable small clusters. The consequences are explored in terms of membrane organization and diffusion properties. The connection with lipid rafts is discussed, and the apparent protein diffusion coefficient as a function of their concentration is analyzed.
Destainville
Nicolas
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Laboratoire de Physique Théorique-IRSAMC, UMR CNRS-UPS 5152, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000737:chemistry; D044367:Phase Transition; D011487:Protein Conformation
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes