Pleomorphic ensembles: formation of large clusters composed of weakly interacting multivalent molecules.

ABSTRACT: Molecular interactions of importance to cell biology are subject to sol-gel transitions: large clusters of weakly interacting multivalent molecules (gel phase) are produced at a critical concentration of monomers. Examples include cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, nucleoprotein bodies, and cell signaling platforms. We use the term pleomorphic ensembles (PEs) to describe these clusters, because they have dynamic compositions and sizes and have rapid turnover of their molecular constituents; this plasticity can be highly responsive to cellular signals. The classical polymer physical chemistry theory developed by Flory and Stockmayer provides a brilliant framework for treating multivalent interactions for simple idealized systems. But the complexity and variability of PEs challenges existi

SUBMITTER: Falkenberg CV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3853317 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature