The process of receptor clustering upon binding to the ligand plays an important role in the process of cell response to the signal, which can be associated with the activation of intracellular processes, as well as with conformational rearrangements in the receptor, which lead to a change in the affinity of the receptor molecules to each other. Increasing the level of local reception affects ligand binding. The process of receptor clustering controls the rate of cell response to the activator. The aim of this work is to study the clustering of receptors in the most general case. Computer models of varying complexity were constructed, reflecting the hypothesis of a change in receptor affinity for each other when linked to a ligand. Validation of computer models was carried out according to published data on the clustering of GPVI receptors on the platelet surface. As a result of the work, it was shown that the stationary state in the system can be either trivial or the state of maximum clustering, when most of the receptors are in clusters of the largest size. The simplified model describes the process without loss of accuracy, that allows to use it in more complex models.
clustering, receptor, mathematical modelling
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