title: The nanoscale organization of the B lymphocyte membrane.
abstract: The fluid mosaic model of Singer and Nicolson correctly predicted that the plasma membrane (PM) forms a lipid bi-layer containing many integral trans-membrane proteins. This model also suggested that most of these proteins were randomly dispersed and freely diffusing moieties. Initially, this view of a dynamic and rather unorganized membrane was supported by early observations of the cell surfaces using the light microscope. However, recent studies on the PM below the diffraction limit of visible light (~250nm) revealed that, at nanoscale dimensions, membranes are highly organized and compartmentalized structures. Lymphocytes are particularly useful to study this nanoscale membrane organization because they grow as single cells and are not permanently engaged in cell:cell contacts within a tissue that can influence membrane organization. In this review, we describe the methods that can be used to better study the protein:protein interaction and nanoscale organization of lymphocyte membrane proteins, with a focus on the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). Furthermore, we discuss the factors that may generate and maintain these membrane structures.
authors.affiliation: BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Germany; Department of Molecular Immunology, Biology III, University of Freiburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: maity@immunbio.mpg.de.
authors.forename: Palash Chandra
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Maity
authors.affiliation: BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Germany; Department of Molecular Immunology, Biology III, University of Freiburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jianying
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Germany; Department of Molecular Immunology, Biology III, University of Freiburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klaesener
authors.affiliation: BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Germany; Department of Molecular Immunology, Biology III, University of Freiburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: michael.reth@bioss.uni-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018448:Models, Immunological; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface
keywords: B cell antigen receptor; Nanocluster; Protein islands