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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
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Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...

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Measuring raft size as a function of membrane composition in PC-based systems: Part 1--binary systems.

Angela C Brown1, Kevin B Towles, Steven P Wrenn

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Summary

Steady-state fluorescence techniques successfully detected nanoscopic membrane domains in lipid systems. The DAN-PC/DHE FRET pair proved effective for measuring domain sizes in ternary systems without perturbing phase behavior.

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Area of Science:

  • Membrane biophysics
  • Lipid bilayer studies
  • Fluorescence spectroscopy

Background:

  • Cell membranes exhibit heterogeneity with nanoscopic domains.
  • Understanding these domains is crucial for membrane function.
  • Existing methods for domain detection have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply steady-state fluorescence techniques for detecting nanoscopic membrane domains.
  • To evaluate the utility of a specific FRET pair (DAN-PC/DHE) in model lipid systems.
  • To measure domain sizes in ternary lipid systems.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two steady-state fluorescence techniques.
  • Employed a polarity-induced spectral shift assay with DAN-PC.
  • Applied Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) using DAN-PC and dehydroergosterol (DHE).
  • Investigated binary (DMPC-cholesterol) and ternary (DOPC-DPPC-cholesterol) systems.

Main Results:

  • Fluorescence techniques and FRET assays correlated with known phase diagrams.
  • The DAN-PC/DHE FRET pair effectively detected membrane heterogeneities.
  • High probe concentrations perturbed binary systems but not ternary systems.
  • Nanometer-scale domain sizes were calculated in ternary systems.

Conclusions:

  • Steady-state fluorescence methods are valuable for detecting membrane heterogeneities.
  • The DAN-PC/DHE FRET pair is suitable for nanoscopic domain analysis.
  • Ternary lipid systems are more robust to high probe concentrations for domain studies.