Membrane curvature enables N-Ras lipid anchor sorting to liquid-ordered membrane phases

Nat Chem Biol. 2015 Mar;11(3):192-4. doi: 10.1038/nchembio.1733. Epub 2015 Jan 26.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Membrane Lipids / chemistry*
  • Membrane Microdomains / chemistry
  • Membranes / chemistry*
  • Membranes / ultrastructure
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Palmitic Acid / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Liposomes
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Palmitic Acid
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins
  • 1,2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine