Consistently, annexins are able to induce the formation of microdomains enriched in cholesterol, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P 2), and PS, both in cellular and/or artificial membrane systems 5. The Ca 2+-dependent lipid interaction places the annexins in a perfect position to sense and convey Ca 2+-mediated signaling to target membranes.

The second hallmark of the annexin family is the presence of a conserved structural segment, the annexin repeat, that is present four or eight times and harbors the Ca 2+- and phospholipid-binding sites 4. Biophysical analytical methods using model membranes are key to understanding the fundamental principles governing these processes at the molecular level.ДЄnnexins, a large multigene-family, are well-known for their ability to bind to negatively charged membrane lipids, predominantly phosphatidylserine (PS), in a Ca 2+-controlled manner 2. The recruitment of the proteins to the specific lipids is often achieved via lipid-recognition modules, such as the pleckstrin homology (PH) or the C2 domains 2, 3. Membrane microdomain dynamics are driven by the interplay of membrane lipids, as well as by the ability of peripheral membrane proteins to recognize and interact with lipids enriched in the microdomains. The coordinated tempo-spatial organization of these membrane microdomains is involved in key physiological processes 1. The compound mixture of membrane lipids, together with peripherally and/or integrally associated membrane proteins, assemble to form microdomains. Cellular membranes are highly dynamic and complex structures.

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