Adhesion of membranes via actively switched receptors

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical model showing how actively switched adhesive receptors influence membrane adhesion, revealing a resonance effect at specific switching rates that can control membrane separation and unbinding.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical framework for membrane adhesion involving actively switched receptors, highlighting the impact of switching rates on adhesion strength.

Findings

Adhesiveness depends on conformational switching rates.

Resonance at intermediate switching rates affects membrane separation.

Potential mechanisms for controlled membrane adhesion.

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.