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Related Concept Videos

Phosphoinositides and PIPs01:42

Phosphoinositides and PIPs

Phosphoinositides are a group of phospholipids containing a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid chains and a phosphate attached to a myoinositol sugar ring. The inositol head group extends into the cytoplasm, where it is modified by adding phosphate groups to form phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs.
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
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%...
Lipids as Anchors01:32

Lipids as Anchors

In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains the...
The Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

The Fluid Mosaic Model

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.
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...
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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PIP-on-a-chip: A Label-free Study of Protein-phosphoinositide Interactions
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Published on: July 27, 2017

Phospholipids at the interface: current trends and challenges.

Roman Pichot1, Richard L Watson, Ian T Norton

  • 1Centre for Formulation Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK. r.pichot@bham.ac.uk.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Phospholipids, key membrane components, form stable foams and emulsions due to their amphiphilic nature. This review explores their interfacial properties and use as natural stabilizers.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Science
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Phospholipids are fundamental constituents of biological membranes.
  • Their amphiphilic nature allows for diverse self-assembly in aqueous environments (e.g., vesicles, micelles).
  • These properties confer unique interfacial characteristics, making them valuable for stabilization applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the interfacial properties of phospholipids at air/water and oil/water interfaces.
  • To highlight recent advancements in utilizing phospholipids as stabilizers.
  • To discuss their combined use with other agents like proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of phospholipid interfacial behavior.
  • Analysis of self-assembly mechanisms in aqueous dispersions.
  • Examination of stabilization efficacy in foams and emulsions.
  • Review of studies combining phospholipids with other stabilizing agents.

Main Results:

  • Phospholipids exhibit significant interfacial activity at air/water and oil/water boundaries.
  • They effectively stabilize foams and emulsions through various molecular assemblies.
  • Recent research demonstrates successful applications, often enhanced by co-stabilizers like proteins.
  • Challenges and opportunities in phospholipid-based stabilization are identified.

Conclusions:

  • Phospholipids are versatile natural stabilizers for interfacial systems.
  • Their amphiphilic character and self-assembly are key to their effectiveness.
  • Further research into phospholipid-based systems offers promising avenues for stabilization technologies.