The disordered boundary of the cell: emerging properties of membrane-bound intrinsically disordered proteins

Biomol Concepts. 2019 Apr 3;10(1):25-36. doi: 10.1515/bmc-2019-0003.

Abstract

We define the disordered boundary of the cell (DBC) as the system formed by membrane tethered intrinsically disordered protein regions, dynamically coupled to the underlying membrane. The emerging properties of the DBC makes it a global system of study, which cannot be understood from the individual properties of their components. Similarly, the properties of lipid bilayers cannot be understood from just the sum of the properties of individual lipid molecules. The highly anisotropic confined environment, restricting the position and orientation of interacting sites, is affecting the properties of individual disordered proteins. In fact, the collective effect caused by high concentrations of disordered proteins extend beyond the sum of individual effects. Examples of emerging properties of the DBC include enhanced protein-protein interactions, protein-driven phase separations, Z-compartmentalization, and protein modulated electrostatics.

Keywords: Bio nano composites; Cell Boundaries; Crowding; Intrinsically disordered proteins; Liquid phase separation; Membrane proteins; Sgnalling environment; Src family kinases; Z-compartmentalization.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins / chemistry
  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • src-Family Kinases / chemistry
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • src-Family Kinases