The fine‐tuning of cell membrane lipid bilayers accentuates their compositional complexity. (3rd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dingjan, Tamir; Futerman, Anthony H.
• Is Part Of: BioEssays. Volume 43:Number 5(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-03-03
• Subjects: bilayer -- cell membrane -- fine‐tuning -- lipid complexity -- molecular assembly; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-9247

Abstract

Abstract: Cell membranes are now emerging as finely tuned molecular systems, signifying that re‐evaluation of our understanding of their structure is essential. Although the idea that cell membrane lipid bilayers do little more than give shape and form to cells and limit diffusion between cells and their environment is totally passé, the structural, compositional, and functional complexity of lipid bilayers often catches cell and molecular biologists by surprise. Models of lipid bilayer structure have developed considerably since the heyday of the fluid mosaic model, principally by the discovery of the restricted diffusion of membrane proteins and lipids within the plane of the bilayer. In reviewing this field, we now suggest that further refinement of current models is necessary and propose that describing lipid bilayers as "finely‐tuned molecular assemblies" best portrays their complexity and function. Also see the video abstract here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddkP-QRZTl8 Abstract : Lipid bilayers are surprisingly complex, containing a wide variety of lipids and proteins. Their composition, asymmetry, and internal molecular interactions operate with a range of tolerances, some as fine as a single mole percent. This essay presents cell membranes as finely tuned molecular assemblies.