Lipid membranes and membrane proteins : an intimate relationship
Cell membranes, being highly deformable, undergo significant bending during processes like intracellular trafficking. This curvature relies on specific proteins, particularly those intrinsically curved or transmembrane proteins with a conical shape. Proteins diffuse within membranes, enabling redistribution based on changes in membrane shape. In vitro membrane systems with controlled curvature, coupled with theoretical models, help unravel the intricate interplay between membrane shape, protein distribution, lateral diffusion, and their impact on sorting, clustering, and protein activity.