Line tension and stability of domains in cell-adhesion zones mediated by long and short receptor-ligand complexes.

ABSTRACT: Submicron scale domains of membrane-anchored receptors play an important role in cell signaling. Central questions concern the stability of these microdomains, and the mechanisms leading to the domain formation. In immune-cell adhesion zones, microdomains of short receptor-ligand complexes form next to domains of significantly longer receptor-ligand complexes. The length mismatch between the receptor-ligand complexes leads to membrane deformations and has been suggested as a possible cause of the domain formation. The domain formation is a nucleation and growth process that depends on the line tension and free energy of the domains. Using a combination of analytical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, we derive here general expressions for the line tension between domains of long and

SUBMITTER: Krobath H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3157351 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature