Ligand-receptor Binding Surface

Cantilever sensors have been shown to detect changes in surface tension ligand-receptor binding and molecular conformation. 

Two main apoptotic pathways have been identified in mammalian cells the extrinsic pathway that is activated by the binding of ligands to cell-surface death receptors, and the intrinsic pathway that involves the mitochondrial release of cytochrome cP The activation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways promotes the cleavage into the active form of the pro-caspase-8 and pro-caspase-9, respectively, that mainly determine the activation of effector caspase-3. ° The intrinsic pathway is the main apoptotic pathway activated by chemotherapeutic drugs, while the cytotoxic drug-induced activation of the extrinsic pathway is a more controversial issue. ... 

Real-time spectroscopic methods can be used to measure the binding, dissociation, and internalization of fluorescent ligands with cell-surface receptors on cells and membranes. The time resolution available in these methods is sufficient to permit a detailed analysis of complex processes involved in cell activation, particularly receptor-G protein dynamics. A description of the kinetics and thermodynamics of these processes will contribute to our understanding of the basis of stimulus potency and efficacy. 

---