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  • Open Access

Membrane-associated self-assembly for cellular decision-making

Samuel L. Foley* and Margaret E. Johnson†

  • *Contact author: sfoley13@jhu.edu
  • †Contact author: margaret.johnson@jhu.edu
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023280 – Published 11 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/cnfz-qffz

Abstract

Cellular decision-making based on information received from the external environment is frequently initiated by transmembrane receptors. These receptors are known to propagate such information by triggering a series of irreversible, energy-consuming reactions. While this active mechanism ensures switchlike responses, here we show how spontaneous self-assembly of native three-dimensional subunits on a two-dimensional substrate can similarly act as a tunable and robust switch for detecting receptors at physiological concentrations. This mechanism is much more sensitive than other passive mechanisms for receptor detection. We derive analytical expressions for the critical receptor density driving stable subunit assembly, in close agreement with stochastic reaction-diffusion simulations. The theory provides testable predictions for how lipids, subunits, and receptors each can control decision boundaries and magnitude of response.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023280– Published 11 June, 2026
  • Received 22 May 2025
  • Accepted 6 May 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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