"Spatial Distribution and Dynamics of Cell Surface Receptors: Implications for Signalling"

The compartmentalization of cell surface proteins is a common feature of cell activation. Such compartmentalization plays a key role in defining the function of a protein since it may facilitate or inhibit the interaction with protein partners. Moreover, the size and spatial organization of receptor assemblies significantly contributes to the specificity of receptor signalling, thus regulating the outcome of cellular responses. Despite this key feature of activation we understand little about the mechanisms that cluster or segregate antigen receptors. I will present our recent findings, which used single particle tracking and STORM to show that the B cell receptor is clustered in the steady-state and its diffusion dynamics are regulated by the actin cytoskeleton. I will also discuss new areas of investigation into novel mechanisms controlling B cell signalling.