Receptor-ligand-binding process

Figure 3 Overview of the receptor-ligand binding process. All species involved are solvated by water (symbolized by gray spheres). The binding free energy difference between the bound and unbound state is a sum of enthalpic components (breaking and formation of hydrogen bonds, formation of specific hydrophobic contacts), and entropic components (release of water from hydrophobic surfaces to solvent, loss of conformational mobility of receptor and ligand).

From studies of lipid-water mixtures and isolated membranes the general functional features of the bilayer are known barrier properties, lateral diffusion, acyl chain disorder and protein association. To vmderstand the mechanisms behind a wide spectrum of membrane functions, a detailed picture at the level of local curvature is needed. Examples are fusion processes, cooperativity in receptor/ligand binding or transport through the bilayer of the proteins that are constantly synthesised for export from the endoplasmic reticulum. Some preliminary discussions of the possibilities of curved, rather than flat, membremes follow. 

Receptor-ligand binding on a membrane surface in general is usually a highly cooperative process. A possible bilayer conformation mechanism due to the presence of sugar groups will be considered here. 

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