Protein localization by recognition of membrane curvature

Bacteria often sort proteins to specific subcellular locations, but many of the chemical beacons that specify those sites and subsequently recruit proteins have not been identified. Recent reports suggest that some bacterial proteins localize to specific subcellular sites by recognizing either convex or concave membrane curvature. Thus, degrees of membrane curvature, dictated by the shape of the cell, can define a geometric cue for the recruitment of curvature-sensing proteins.