Biophysical mechanism for Ras-nanocluster formation and signaling in plasma membrane

Details Biophysical mechanism for Ras-nanocluster formation and signaling in plasma membrane Biophysical mechanism for Ras-nanocluster formation and signaling in plasma membrane

2009-06-12

arxiv.org/abs/0906.2232v1

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Subcellular Processes

8 figures. PLoS ONE, in press

Scientific paper

Ras GTPases are lipid-anchored G proteins which play a fundamental role in cell signaling processes. Electron micrographs of immunogold-labeled Ras have shown that membrane-bound Ras molecules segregate into nanocluster domains. Several models have been developed in attempts to obtain quantitative descriptions of nanocluster formation, but all have relied on assumptions such as a constant, expression-level independent ratio of Ras in clusters to Ras monomers (cluster/monomer ratio). However, this assumption is inconsistent with the law of mass action. Here, we present a biophysical model of Ras clustering based on short-range attraction and long-range repulsion between Ras molecules in the membrane. To test this model, we performed Monte Carlo simulations and compared statistical clustering properties with experimental data. We find that we can recover the experimentally-observed clustering across a range of Ras expression levels, without assuming a constant cluster/monomer ratio or the existence of lipid rafts. In addition, our model makes predictions about the signaling properties of Ras nanoclusters in support of the idea that Ras nanoclusters act as an analog-digital-analog converter for high fidelity signaling.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Biophysical mechanism for Ras-nanocluster formation and signaling in plasma membrane does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Biophysical mechanism for Ras-nanocluster formation and signaling in plasma membrane, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Biophysical mechanism for Ras-nanocluster formation and signaling in plasma membrane will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-134662