Figure 1: The VSG coat operates close to its MCT.

The impact of lateral protein density on the diffusion of VSG was quantified in supported membranes. Diffusion coefficients (a) and mobile fractions (b) are displayed as a function of the VSG concentration in relation to the concentration on the trypanosome cell surface. A relative concentration of 1 corresponds to the concentration in vivo. The error bars in y (diffusion coefficient) represent the standard deviation of the mean, while the error bars in x (relative VSG concentration) depict the range.