New models of cellular control: membrane cytoskeletons, membrane curvature potential, and possible interactions

Abstract

The concepts of "membrane cytoskeletons" (proteins attached to the cytoplasmic face of the membrane to give rigidity and control of lateral protein diffusion) and of membrane curvature potential are briefly reviewed. Possible modes of attachment of the membrane cytoskeleton to the bilayer are discussed, and a detailed calculation of possible sources of membrane curvature potential in the red cell is made. The 2 control systems are then used to illustrate possible mechanisms for some cellular processes, such as vesicle formation and release, pseudopod formation, and red cell aging. It is concluded that combination of these concepts allows control mechanisms which appear to act at a distance, or have other unusual systems properties.