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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane01:24

Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

Proteins show rotational as well as lateral diffusion across the membrane. The lateral diffusion of proteins was confirmed through the cell fusion experiment where mouse and human cells were fused, resulting in hybrid cells. When the human and mouse cells fused, the specific membrane proteins on human and mouse cells were marked with the red and green-fluorescent markers, respectively. Initially, the red and green fluorescence was located on the respective hemisphere of the cell. As time...
Single-pass Transmembrane Proteins01:25

Single-pass Transmembrane Proteins

Integral membrane proteins are tightly associated with the cell membrane and play a crucial role in cell communication, signaling, adhesion, and transport of the molecules. Some integral membrane proteins are present only in the membrane monolayer. For example, the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase is present in the cytoplasmic side of the membrane monolayer. In contrast, another type of integral membrane protein, also known as a transmembrane protein, spans across the membrane. Transmembrane...
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...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
10:49

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 5, 2017

Membrane-mediated interactions measured using membrane domains.

Stefan Semrau1, Timon Idema, Thomas Schmidt

  • 1Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. semrau@physics.leidenuniv.nl

Biophysical Journal
|June 17, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Membrane inclusions organize by deforming cell membranes, creating order and preferred domain sizes. This shape-deformation interaction is the dominant force in neutral systems, impacting lipid domains and protein patches.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy
10:49

Method to Visualize and Analyze Membrane Interacting Proteins by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: March 5, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Cell membrane organization arises from multiple forces.
  • Electrostatic and van der Waals forces are well-studied.
  • The role of membrane shape deformation in organization is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and quantify the force of membrane shape deformation.
  • To understand its role as an organizing force in cell membranes.
  • To explore its impact on lipid domains and membrane proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized phase-separated biomimetic vesicles.
  • Studied coexistence of liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered lipid domains.
  • Quantified membrane-mediated interactions via shape deformations.

Main Results:

  • Identified membrane shape deformation as a dominant organizing force in neutral systems.
  • Observed long-range order and preferred domain size due to these interactions.
  • Demonstrated applicability to membrane protein patch interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Membrane shape deformation is a key, often dominant, factor in cell membrane organization.
  • This mechanism explains the behavior of lipid domains and protein aggregates.
  • Provides a framework for understanding complex membrane structures.