Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026

High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells
Published on: January 7, 2019
Protein homeostasis at the plasma membrane
Pirjo M Apaja1, Gergely L Lukacs2
1Department of Physiology and Research Group Focused on Protein Structure (GRASP), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and pirjo.apaja@mcgill.ca gergely.lukacs@mcgill.ca.
Cellular protein quality control mechanisms repair or degrade damaged plasma membrane proteins. This process is vital for maintaining protein homeostasis in both health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The plasma membrane (PM) is crucial for cellular integrity and function.
- Protein quality control (QC) systems maintain cellular proteostasis.
- Damaged proteins must be efficiently cleared to prevent cellular dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of emerging aspects of plasma membrane protein quality control (PM QC).
- To highlight the mechanisms involved in repairing or degrading misfolded PM proteins.
- To emphasize the role of PM QC in cellular protein homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on PM QC.
- Analysis of endocytic pathways and lysosomal degradation.
- Integration of data on protein conformational damage and repair.
Main Results:
- Emerging mechanisms of PM QC involve both repair and degradation pathways.
- The endosomal sorting machinery plays a key role in targeting damaged PM proteins.
- These QC processes are essential for maintaining cellular health.
Conclusions:
- PM QC is a critical cellular process for preserving protein homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of PM QC may contribute to various diseases.
- Further research into PM QC mechanisms holds therapeutic potential.
Related Concept Videos
What is Homeostasis?
Membrane Proteins
pH Regulation in Cells
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane
pH Homeostasis
Respiratory...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

