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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 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

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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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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...
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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...
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

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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...

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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

An implicit solvent coarse-grained lipid model with correct stress profile.

Alex J Sodt1, Teresa Head-Gordon

  • 1Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.

The Journal of Chemical Physics
|June 3, 2010
PubMed
Summary

We developed a new coarse-grained model for lipid membranes, reducing computational cost while maintaining accuracy. This model accurately simulates membrane dynamics and properties, enabling efficient study of complex membrane systems.

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

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Area of Science:

  • Computational Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Simulating lipid membranes is computationally expensive, especially with explicit solvent.
  • Accurate modeling of membrane properties like phase transitions and mechanical response is crucial.
  • Existing implicit membrane models struggle to capture detailed lipid component contributions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an efficient coarse-grained (CG) parametrization strategy for lipid membranes.
  • To create a CG model that balances computational cost with accuracy in lipid interactions and membrane properties.
  • To enable efficient simulation of complex membrane systems, including protein-lipid interactions and lipid rafts.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a CG parametrization strategy for lipid membranes, exemplified by a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer.
  • Employed a broad attractive tail-tail potential and extracted bonded potentials of mean force from all-atom simulations.
  • Validated the model against experimental data and all-atom simulation benchmarks for dynamics, phase transitions, and stress profiles.

Main Results:

  • The CG model exhibits a sharp gel to fluid transition and a correct bending modulus.
  • Simulations show reasonable dynamics when compared to experimental data.
  • The model accurately determines quantitative stress profiles and lipid component contributions, outperforming previous implicit models.

Conclusions:

  • The developed CG lipid model offers a computationally efficient yet accurate approach to simulating membrane behavior.
  • This strategy is essential for studying complex membrane phenomena like protein assembly and lipid raft formation.
  • The model provides a reliable tool for investigating non-aqueous chemical environments within membranes.