LMB Seminar - Higher Order Transient structures and the principle of dynamic connectivity in membrane signaling

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Rod MacKinnon - Rockefeller University
• Monday 07 April 2025, 11:00-12:00
• In person in the Max Perutz Lecture Theatre (CB2 0QH) and via Zoom link https://mrc-lmb-cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/92311841585?pwd=auhAdp8eTD8Ca0xGZpaNlZrChEcHAr.1.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Scientific Meetings Co-ordinator.

Cells convey signals (information) across their membranes through the interactions of membrane proteins that communicate with each other, forming what are called signal pathways, which are analogous to the connected components in an electronic circuit. But cell membranes are 2-dimensional liquids in which diffusion dominates, raising the questions how do the components connect, and why do coexisting pathways, which often share components, not interfere with each other? In this presentation I will show you that many membrane proteins assemble into weakly-interacting, transient, molecular-specific clusters of self, which we call higher order transient structures (HOTS). Because molecular specificity invokes self-recognition through protein sequence and structure, we propose that HOTS are genetically encoded macromolecular units. I will explain how HOTS can (1) underlie a dynamic connectivity by tying together in a statistical manner the components of a signal pathway and (2) permit multiple signal pathways to coexist in the cell membrane, functioning without interference.

This talk is part of the MRC LMB Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Biology
• CCC talks for website
• Cambridge Immunology
• Centre for Health Leadership and Enterprise
• In person in the Max Perutz Lecture Theatre (CB2 0QH) and via Zoom link https://mrc-lmb-cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/92311841585?pwd=auhAdp8eTD8Ca0xGZpaNlZrChEcHAr.1
• Liam
• Life Sciences
• Life Sciences
• ME Seminar
• MRC LMB Seminar Series
• Neurons, Fake News, DNA and your iPhone: The Mathematics of Information
• cri
• my_list
• other talks
• rc781

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.