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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...
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...
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

Scientists identified the plasma membrane in the 1890s and its principal chemical components (lipids and proteins) by 1915. The model for plasma membrane structure, proposed in 1935 by Hugh Davson and James Danielli, was the first model to be widely accepted in the scientific community. The model was based on the plasma membrane's "railroad track" appearance in early electron micrographs. Davson and Danielli theorized that the plasma membrane's structure resembled a sandwich with the analogy of...
Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

Fluid Mosaic Model

The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.LipidsThe most...
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%...
What are Membranes?01:54

What are Membranes?

A key characteristic of life is the ability to separate the external environment from the internal space. To do this, cells have evolved semi-permeable membranes that regulate the passage of biological molecules. Additionally, the cell membrane defines a cell’s shape and interactions with the external environment. Eukaryotic cell membranes also serve to compartmentalize the internal space into organelles, including the endomembrane structures of the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi...

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Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
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Fish skin as a model membrane: structure and characteristics.

Fífa Konrádsdóttir1, Thorsteinn Loftsson, Sigurdur Dadi Sigfússon

  • 1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
|January 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Catfish skin effectively models mucosal membranes for drug permeation studies. Its diffusion-controlled process mimics mucous layers, offering a viable alternative for drug formulation development.

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Current synthetic and cell-based membranes poorly replicate mucosal membranes, particularly the aqueous mucous layer.
  • Accurate modeling of drug permeation through mucosal barriers is crucial for drug formulation development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate catfish (Anarichas lupus L) skin as a potential model membrane for drug permeation studies.
  • To assess the suitability of fish skin in mimicking the properties of mucosal membranes.

Main Methods:

  • Permeation of various molecules (hydrocortisone, lidocaine HCl, benzocaine, diethylstilbestrol, naproxen, picric acid, sodium nitrate) was measured.
  • Experiments were conducted using catfish skin in Franz diffusion cells.

Main Results:

  • Both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds permeated catfish skin.
  • Permeation occurred through hydrated channels or aqueous pores, indicating a diffusion-controlled process.
  • No correlation was found between a molecule's octanol/water partition coefficient and its permeability through fish skin.

Conclusions:

  • Catfish skin facilitates drug permeation via a diffusion-controlled mechanism, similar to mucosal membranes.
  • The collagen matrix of fish skin shares properties with the eye sclera, suggesting broader applicability.
  • Fish skin presents a promising, naturally derived model for evaluating drug availability in formulations targeting mucosal surfaces.