Model cell membranes: discerning lipid and protein contributions in shaping the cell
Thomas Günther Pomorski1, Tommy Nylander2, Marité Cárdenas3
1Centre for Membrane Pumps in Cells and Disease-PUMPKIN, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Abstract:
The high complexity of biological membranes has motivated the development and application of a wide range of model membrane systems to study biochemical and biophysical aspects of membranes in situ under well defined conditions. The aim is to provide fundamental understanding of processes controlled by membrane structure, permeability and curvature as well as membrane proteins by using a wide range of biochemical, biophysical and microscopic techniques. This review gives an overview of some currently used model biomembrane systems. We will also discuss some key membrane protein properties that are relevant for protein-membrane interactions in terms of protein structure and how it is affected by membrane composition, phase behavior and curvature.
Related Concept Videos
Fluid Mosaic Model
What are Membranes?
What are Membranes?
What are Membranes?
The Fluid Mosaic Model
Membrane Domains
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...


