QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LATERAL DISTRIBUTION OF MEMBRANE PROTEINS WITHIN THE LIPID BILAYER

摘要: The dependence of the lateral distribution membrane proteins on size, protein/lipoid molar ratio, and magnitude interaction potentials has been investigated by computer modeling protein-lipid distributions with Monte Carlo calculations. These results have allowed us to develop a quantitative characterization correlate these experimental observables. topological arrangement protein domains, plus annular lipid free domains is described in terms radial distribution, pair connectedness, cluster functions. functions are used measure intermolecular distances between molecules, whereas connectedness estimate physical extension compositional domains. It shown that, at characteristic protein/lipid ratios, previously isolated become connected, forming domain networks that extend over entire surface. changes connectivity paralleled calculated diffusion coefficients might important implications for regulation controlled processes within membrane.