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Related Concept Videos

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
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...
Structure of Porins01:21

Structure of Porins

Mitochondria, chloroplasts, and gram-negative bacteria have transmembrane, beta-barrel proteins called porins to mediate the free diffusion of ions and metabolites across the membrane. Mitochondrial porin precursors contain conserved amino acid sequences called beta signals at their C-terminal. Beta signals have a  motif of PoXGXXHyXHy (Po-Polar, X-Any amino acid, G-Glycine, Hy-LargeHydrophobic), which are crucial for precursor recognition to initiate precursor assembly. Beta-barrel precursors...
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...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Methods to Study Lipid Alterations in Neutrophils and the Subsequent Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
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Methods to Study Lipid Alterations in Neutrophils and the Subsequent Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Published on: March 29, 2017

Cholesterol, cardiolipin, and mitochondria permeabilisation.

Safa Lucken-Ardjomande Hasler1

  • 1MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Neurobiology Division, Cambridge, UK. slucken@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|May 11, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is crucial for organism development. Targeting mitochondrial cholesterol levels may enhance cancer chemotherapy effectiveness by sensitizing cancer cells.

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10:58

Methods to Study Lipid Alterations in Neutrophils and the Subsequent Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

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Multi-parameter Measurement of the Permeability Transition Pore Opening in Isolated Mouse Heart Mitochondria
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Multi-parameter Measurement of the Permeability Transition Pore Opening in Isolated Mouse Heart Mitochondria

Published on: September 7, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Apoptosis is programmed cell death, essential for multicellular organisms, involving caspases and mitochondrial factors.
  • Mitochondrial permeability control is vital, with Bcl-2 family proteins regulating this process and mutations linked to cancer.
  • Lipids, including cardiolipin and cholesterol, play significant roles in regulating apoptotic protein activity and membrane permeabilization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of lipids, specifically cardiolipin and cholesterol, in regulating apoptosis.
  • To investigate the contribution of cholesterol to cancer cell resistance to cytotoxic stress.
  • To evaluate cholesterol reduction as a potential strategy to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability, and lipid involvement.
  • Analysis of the known functions of cardiolipin in targeting and activating pro-apoptotic proteins.
  • Examination of studies linking cholesterol levels to cancer cell resistance and chemosensitivity.

Main Results:

  • Cardiolipin acts as a targeting signal, supports protein conformational changes, and is essential for liposome permeabilization by Bax and Bak.
  • Elevated cholesterol levels in cancer cells contribute to their resistance against cytotoxic stresses.
  • The involvement of lipids in apoptosis is increasingly recognized, expanding beyond protein interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiolipin plays multifaceted roles in the apoptotic process, influencing protein interactions and membrane permeabilization.
  • Cholesterol's role in promoting cancer cell resistance highlights it as a potential therapeutic target.
  • Reducing cholesterol could be a novel strategy to improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment.