Conformational Transitions as Molecular Signalling Mechanisms in Synthetic Bilayer Membranes

Abstract

Conformational transitions in membrane-bound macromolecules probably provide the most general and powerful mechanisms for chemical and physical signalling processes in biology. Changes in the conformations of membrane proteins and glycoproteins are exploited in cell biology to modulate enzymatic activity, to change membrane permeability, and to initiate the membrane reorganization events involved in endocytosis, in secretion and in the processing of ligands and receptors. In recent years, we have explored the consequences of conformational transitions in synthetic macromolecules bound to lipid bilayer membranes by adsorption or via hydrophobic anchoring groups.^1-4 The present chapter examines the roles of polymer conformation and solvation in controlling membrane structure in such systems.