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Spot Variation Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy for Analysis of Molecular Diffusion at the Plasma Membrane of Living Cells
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Cholesterol Flip-Flop Impacts Domain Registration in Plasma Membrane Models
Sebastian Thallmair1, Helgi I Ingólfsson1,2, Siewert J Marrink1
1Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute and The Zernike Institute for Advanced Material , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7 , 9747 AG Groningen , Netherlands.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|September 8, 2018
Summary
Cholesterol flip-flop across cell membranes significantly reduces domain correlation between leaflets. This finding suggests cholesterol amplifies cell signaling across membrane layers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Computational Biophysics
Background:
- The plasma membrane is crucial for cellular function.
- Cholesterol influences plasma membrane nanodomain formation.
- Interleaflet correlation of these nanodomains is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physical mechanism behind interleaflet coupling of cholesterol-enriched domains.
- To determine the influence of cholesterol flip-flop on plasma membrane properties.
Main Methods:
- Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
- Simulations focused on mammalian plasma membrane models.
- Cholesterol population transfer between leaflets was manipulated.
Main Results:
- Cholesterol flip-flop significantly reduces density correlation between membrane leaflets.
- Suppression of interleaflet cholesterol transfer weakens domain coupling.
- A reduction in cholesterol density correlation was observed.
Conclusions:
- Cholesterol flip-flop plays a key role in regulating interleaflet domain coupling.
- Cholesterol's influence on membrane organization may amplify signal transduction across leaflets.
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