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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...
Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels01:09

Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels

In multi-pass transmembrane proteins, the polypeptide chain crosses the membrane more than once. The transmembrane polypeptide chain either forms an α-helix or β-strand structure. α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins are ubiquitous, whereas β-strand containing ones are mainly found in gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as G-protein-linked receptors (GPCRs) and...
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...
What are Membranes?01:24

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries markers that...
What are Membranes?01:24

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries markers that...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 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

Molecular structure of membrane tethers.

Svetlana Baoukina1, Siewert J Marrink, D Peter Tieleman

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Biophysical Journal
|July 10, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Molecular dynamics simulations reveal how membrane tethers form from lipid bilayers. This study provides the first molecular-level view of tether structure and formation, crucial for understanding cell biology.

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Membrane tethers, formed by lipid bilayers, are vital in cell biology.
  • Their molecular structure is unknown due to small size and dynamic nature.
  • Previous studies relied on experiments and theoretical models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To gain molecular-level insight into membrane tether formation.
  • To characterize tether structure and formation processes.
  • To determine membrane material properties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized molecular dynamics simulations.
  • Pulled tethers from single-component lipid bilayers.
  • Applied external force or lateral compression.

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Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
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Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies

Published on: September 1, 2023

Production of Disulfide-stabilized Transmembrane Peptide Complexes for Structural Studies
12:05

Production of Disulfide-stabilized Transmembrane Peptide Complexes for Structural Studies

Published on: March 6, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 20, 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

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

Production of Disulfide-stabilized Transmembrane Peptide Complexes for Structural Studies
12:05

Production of Disulfide-stabilized Transmembrane Peptide Complexes for Structural Studies

Published on: March 6, 2013

Main Results:

  • Tether formation involves viscoelastic protrusion followed by viscous lipid flow under force.
  • A force threshold determines transition from protrusion to elongation.
  • Lateral compression induces tethers via bilayer undulations.
  • Detailed characterization of tether structure and formation dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • Provides the first molecular-level visualization of membrane tethers.
  • Offers insights into lipid bilayer mechanics and behavior.
  • Establishes a foundation for future research on membrane structures.