Lipid membrane-induced optimization for ligand-receptor docking: recent tools and insights for the membrane catalysis model

Cells in living organisms are regulated by chemical and physical stimuli from their environment. Often, ligands interact with membrane receptors to trigger responses and Sargent and Schwyzer conceived a model to describe this process, membrane catalysis. There is a notion that the physical organization of membranes can control the response of cells by speeding up reactions. We revisit the membrane catalysis model in the light of recent technical, methodological and theoretical advances and how they can be exploited to highlight the details of membrane mediated ligand-receptor interactions. We examine the possible effects that ligand concentration causes in the membrane catalysis and focus our attention in techniques used to determine the partition constant. The hypothetical diffusional advantage associated with membrane catalysis is discussed and the applicability of existing models is assessed. The role of in-depth location and orientation of ligands is explored emphasizing the contribution of new analysis methods and spectroscopic techniques. Results suggest that membranes can optimize the interaction between ligands and receptors through several different effects but the relative contribution of each must be carefully investigated. We certainly hope that the conjugation of the methodological and technical advances here reported will revive the interest in the membrane catalysis model.