1999/01/01 by Pierre Bongrand
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications #Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior #Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection #physics.bio-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/0034-4885/62/6/202
published as Reports on Progress in Physics 62 (1999) 921-968
openalex publication_date 1999/01/01 · arxiv created 2008/09/11 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
The formation and dissociation of specific noncovalent interactions between a variety of macromolecules play a crucial role in the function of biological systems. During the last few years, three main lines of research led to a dramatic improvement of our understanding of these important phenomena. First, a combination of genetic engineering and x-ray crystallography made available a simultaneous knowledge of the precise structure and affinity of series or related ligand-receptor systems differing by a few well-defined atoms. Second, improvement of computer power and simulation techniques allowed an extended exploration of the interaction of realistic macromolecules. Third, simultaneous development of a variety of techniques based on atomic force microscopy, hydrodynamic flow, biomembrane probes, optical tweezers, magnetic fields or flexible transducers yielded direct experimental information of the behaviour of single ligand-receptor bonds. At the same time, investigation of well-defined cellular models raised the interest of biologists to the kinetic and mechanical properties of cell membrane receptors. The aim of this review is to give a description of these advances that have benefited from a largely multidisciplinary approach.