Adhesion of membranes with active stickers

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Feb 3;96(4):048101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.048101. Epub 2006 Jan 31.

Abstract

We consider a theoretical model for membranes with adhesive receptors, or stickers, that are actively switched between two conformational states. In their "on" state, the stickers bind to ligands in an apposing membrane, whereas they do not interact with the ligands in their "off" state. We show that the adhesiveness of the membranes depends sensitively on the rates of the conformational switching process. This dependence is reflected in a resonance at intermediate switching rates, which can lead to large membrane separations and unbinding. Our results may provide insights into novel mechanisms for the controlled adhesion of biological or biomimetic membranes.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Membrane*
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Membrane Proteins