Membrane curvature enables N-Ras lipid anchor sorting to liquid-ordered membrane phases
Jannik Bruun Larsen1, Martin Borch Jensen1, Vikram K Bhatia1
11] Bio-Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. [2] Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. [3] Lundbeck Foundation Center for Biomembranes in Nanomedicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
Trafficking and sorting of membrane-anchored Ras GTPases are regulated by partitioning between distinct membrane domains. Here, in vitro experiments and microscopic molecular theory reveal membrane curvature as a new modulator of N-Ras lipid anchor and palmitoyl chain partitioning. Membrane curvature was essential for enrichment in raft-like liquid-ordered phases; enrichment was driven by relief of lateral pressure upon anchor insertion and most likely affects the localization of lipidated proteins in general.
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