Mesoscale modelling of biomolecular diffusion in heterogeneous biological membranes.

Abstract

Biological membranes are composed of various kinds of proteins and lipids. This membrane exhibits phase separation into lipid order (Lo) and lipid disorder (Ld) domains depending on their composition. The phase separation and the cytoskeleton cause membrane compartmentalization. It is known that this compartmentalization is heterogenous and regulates the recruitment of the specific proteins related to cell signaling and trafficking. However, the effect of membrane compartmentalization on the diffusion and aggregation of the molecules has been unclear. Here, using the mesoscale simulation combining continuum phase field formalism and Langevin dynamics simulation, we elucidate that the membrane compartmentalization by the phase separation affects the diffusion of the molecules. Moreover, we investigate the effect of membrane compartmentalization by the cytoskeleton on the diffusion of the molecules.