Two-dimensional Fِrster resonance energy transfer (2-D FRET) and the membrane raft hypothesis

A model for analyzing Fِrster resonance energy transfer (FRET) data in relation to the cell plasma membrane raft hypothesis is developed to take into account: (a) the distribution of FRET donors and acceptors at the surface of probing antibody fragments specific for a putative raft component; (b) partitioning of the raft component between raft and non-raft areas of the membrane; and (c) the dependence of the raft partition on the expression level of the considered component. Analysis of relevant FRET data in the literature according to this model provides support for the raft hypothesis.