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These gradients, maintained by specialized pumps, require large energy expenditure to generate varying transmembrane electrical potentials.

"Our research reveals the capability of cells to harness transmembrane ion gradients as a means of communication, allowing them to sense and respond to changes in their surroundings rapidly," said Niraula, an applied research scientist in the Department of Machine Learning.

Connecting the outside-of-the-cell portion of PD-1 with the inside portion is the transmembrane segment.

Study results showed that PD-1 forms a dimer through interactions of its transmembrane segment.

Further immune cell testing in mice showed that encouraging PD-1 to form dimers, specifically in the transmembrane domain but not in its outer or inner regions, increased its ability to suppress T cell activity, while decreasing transmembrane dimerization lowered PD-1's ability to inhibit immune cell activity.