Binding forces between
biomolecules are ubiquitous in nature but
sometimes as weak as a few pico-Newtons (pN). In many cases, the binding
partners are attached to biomembranes with the help of a lipid anchor.
One important example are glycolipids that promote membrane adhesion
through weak carbohydrate–carbohydrate binding between adjacent
membranes. Here, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to quantify
the forces generated by bonds involving membrane-anchored molecules.
We introduce a method in which the protrusion of the lipid anchors
from the membrane acts as the force sensor. Our results with two different
glycolipids reveal binding forces of up to 20 pN and corroborate the
recent notion that carbohydrate–carbohydrate interactions are
generic rather than specific.