Final answer:
Microdomains form through both equilibrium and non-equilibrium processes, involving active transport by molecular motors and thermodynamic forces. Tethering can stabilize these domains by covalently attaching molecules to specific targets, with applications in drug discovery. The Fences and Pickets model further illustrates membrane compartmentalization facilitated by protein tethers to the cytoskeleton.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tethers can form microdomains within cellular membranes and biological structures through both equilibrium and non-equilibrium processes. These microdomains are stabilized not only by the passive thermodynamic forces that maintain the structure of adhesion proteins within focal adhesions, but also by active processes such as molecular motors that transport proteins against the concentration gradient. Tethering, as a method, involves covalently binding small molecules or fragments to specific sites on a target molecule, such as RNA or proteins, potentially leading to the formation of functional microdomains. This screening approach has proven fruitful for identifying high-affinity ligands and characterizing the dynamics of focal adhesions, which can exchange components with their surroundings while preserving the larger scale organization.
Additionally, self-assembling peptides and the principle of Fences and Pickets demonstrate the variety of ways microdomains can be established and maintained in biological systems. The Fences and Pickets model describes how integral membrane proteins tethered to cytoskeletal elements create microcompartments by acting as physical barriers.