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Related Concept Videos

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
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...
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

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...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Lipid Bilayer Experiments with Contact Bubble Bilayers for Patch-Clampers
07:18

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Published on: January 16, 2019

Domain coupling in asymmetric lipid bilayers.

Volker Kiessling1, Chen Wan, Lukas K Tamm

  • 1Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|October 14, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Biological membranes form liquid phases based on cholesterol and lipid concentrations. Supported bilayers mimic this, inducing ordered lipid domains and showing proteins target these specific membrane domains.

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Published on: July 12, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Biological membranes are complex, heterogeneous assemblies of lipids, proteins, and cholesterol.
  • Lipid and protein concentrations, particularly cholesterol, can drive phase segregation within membranes.
  • These segregated phases exhibit distinct physical properties and coexist within the same membrane.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in recreating membrane heterogeneity using supported bilayers.
  • To demonstrate the induction of ordered lipid domains in artificial membrane systems.
  • To investigate protein targeting of these induced lipid domains.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing supported bilayer systems to mimic biological membranes.
  • Recreating lipid compositions typical of inner and outer leaflets of plasma membranes.
  • Analyzing the formation and properties of induced ordered lipid domains.
  • Observing differential protein targeting to these domains.

Main Results:

  • Supported bilayers can successfully recreate the phase segregation observed in biological membranes.
  • Specific lipid compositions can induce ordered lipid domains mimicking the inner leaflet.
  • Proteins exhibit selective targeting towards these induced inner leaflet domains.

Conclusions:

  • Supported bilayer systems provide a valuable platform for studying membrane heterogeneity and domain formation.
  • The induction of ordered lipid domains is achievable through controlled lipid composition.
  • Protein interactions with specific membrane domains can be effectively studied using this model.