Question

How can you restrict the mobility of proteins in a membrane?

Answer 1

The mobility of the proteins is restricted in a membrane by different ways and it is majorly done with help of different types of barriers. One of the ways the protein mobility is restricted is through its anchoring and attachment to the internal protein or the cytoskeleton. As it is anchored to the cytoskeleton, its movement within the membrane is restricted. Another way its mobility is restricted is when the proteins are anchored to the extracellular matrix. At times the proteins are also attached and connected to the transmembrane protein located within another cell and hence this hinders its mobility and movement. There are some proteins which are tethered to the cell cortex located inside the cell and hence its movement is restricted. The proteins at times are attached or connected to the proteins which are attached to the outer surface of other cells and this leads to prevention of its mobility in the membrane. There are a number of diffusion barrier which are present and due to its presence within this domain, they restrict the movement of these proteins within that particular area or domain of the membrane and not beyond that.