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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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%...
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...

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Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
07:31

Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies

Published on: September 1, 2023

Morphology and interaction between lipid domains.

Tristan S Ursell1, William S Klug, Rob Phillips

  • 1Department of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 22, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular membranes use lipid rafts to organize cell functions. Membrane shape, specifically dimpled domains, prevents raft merging, maintaining their small size and organization.

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
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Published on: September 1, 2023

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers
10:15

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Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions
12:18

Assembly of Cell Mimicking Supported and Suspended Lipid Bilayer Models for the Study of Molecular Interactions

Published on: August 3, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Membrane Science

Background:

  • Cellular membranes comprise diverse lipids, proteins, and molecules.
  • Liquid-ordered domains, or lipid rafts, are enriched in cholesterol and saturated lipids.
  • Lipid rafts are crucial platforms for cellular signaling and transport within the secretory pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate mechanisms maintaining small, fluid lipid domains in cellular membranes.
  • Explore the role of membrane morphology in regulating lipid raft size and organization.
  • Address the discrepancy between observed small domain sizes and the absence of large-scale phase separation.

Main Methods:

  • Employed a combination of mechanical modeling.
  • Conducted in vitro experiments using model membranes.
  • Analyzed lipid domain morphology (flat vs. dimpled).

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that membrane morphology significantly influences domain size regulation.
  • Showed that dimpled lipid domains exhibit repulsive interactions, hindering coalescence.
  • Observed that dimpled morphology aids in the lateral organization of domains within the membrane.

Conclusions:

  • Membrane morphology is a key factor in maintaining small lipid domain sizes.
  • Dimpled membrane domains actively regulate raft size and organization through repulsive forces.
  • Findings provide insight into the spatial organization of cellular membranes and raft dynamics.