Where Biology Meets Physics--A Converging View on Membrane Microdomain Dynamics

Current Topics in Membranes
Nicolas DestainvilleThorsten Lang

Abstract

For several decades, the phenomenon of membrane component segregation into microdomains has been a well-known and highly debated subject, and varying concepts including the raft hypothesis, the fence-and-picket model, hydrophobic-mismatch, and specific protein-protein interactions have been offered as explanations. Here, we review the level of insight into the molecular architecture of membrane domains one is capable of obtaining through biological experimentation. Using SNARE proteins as a paradigm, comprehensive data suggest that several dozens of molecules crowd together into almost circular spots smaller than 100 nm. Such clusters are highly dynamical as they constantly capture and lose molecules. The organization has a strong influence on the functional availability of proteins and likely provides a molecular scaffold for more complex protein networks. Despite this high level of insight, fundamental open questions remain, applying not only to SNARE protein domains but more generally to all types of membrane domains. In this context, we explain the view of physical models and how they are beneficial in advancing our concept of micropatterning. While biological models generally remain qualitative and descriptive, physics aim...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 23, 2016·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B·Mareike BergerNicolas Destainville
Jan 17, 2017·Current Biology : CB·Alison R DunRory R Duncan
Aug 5, 2017·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Swati Venkat, Adam D Linstedt
Oct 3, 2018·Biomolecules·Nicolas DestainvilleJulie Cornet
May 10, 2019·Soft Matter·Osman Kahraman, Christoph A Haselwandter
Jun 13, 2019·The Journal of Membrane Biology·T DevanandSatyavani Vemparala
Jun 12, 2018·Frontiers in Immunology·Luise Florin, Thorsten Lang
Dec 4, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Lei WanWolfhard Almers

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