Lateral diffusion of membrane proteins in the presence of static and dynamic corrals: Suggestions for appropriate observables

We consider the possibility of inferring the nature of cytoskeletal interac tion with transmembrane proteins via optical experiments such as single-par ticle tracking (SPT) and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). In particular, we demonstrate that it may be possible to differentiate between static and dynamic barriers to diffusion by examining the time-dependent v ariance and higher moments of protein population inside cytoskeletal "corra ls." Simulations modeling Band 3 diffusion on the surface of erythrocytes p rovide a concrete demonstration that these statistical tools might prove us eful in the study of biological systems.