Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

04:45
Use of Microscale Thermophoresis to Measure Protein-Lipid Interactions
Published on: February 10, 2022
General kinetic model for protein-mediated phospholipid transfer between membranes
T Yoshimura1, R Welti, G M Helmkamp
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|November 1, 1988
Summary
A new kinetic model describes phospholipid transfer protein activity, accounting for all transfer routes between membranes. This model accurately predicts transfer rates and aids in understanding phospholipid dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Membrane Biophysics
- Protein Kinetics
Background:
- Phospholipid transfer proteins (PLTPs) mediate lipid exchange between membranes.
- Existing models often simplify transfer kinetics, focusing only on initial donor-to-acceptor rates.
- A comprehensive kinetic framework is needed to capture the full complexity of PLTP-mediated transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a general kinetic model for phospholipid transfer protein activity.
- To incorporate all possible transfer routes (donor-to-donor, acceptor-to-acceptor, acceptor-to-donor, donor-to-acceptor).
- To analyze the influence of membrane properties on transfer kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Development of a general kinetic model incorporating four transfer routes.
- Experimental analysis of phosphatidylcholine transfer using bovine liver PLTP.
- Kinetic analysis of transfer between small unilamellar vesicles with varying phosphatidic acid content.
- Determination of apparent dissociation constants and maximum transfer rates.
Main Results:
- The model adequately explains the effects of membrane concentration, surface charge, and vesicle size.
- Experimental data for phosphatidylcholine transfer between vesicles showed good agreement with the model's predictions.
- The model allows for the deduction of apparent transfer rates between different vesicle populations.
Conclusions:
- The developed kinetic model provides a robust framework for understanding protein-mediated phospholipid transfer.
- The model successfully predicts experimental observations and allows for the estimation of key kinetic parameters.
- This approach enhances the understanding of lipid dynamics in biological membranes.
Related Concept Videos
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.LipidsThe most...
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...
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...
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...
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%...
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane
Proteins show rotational as well as lateral diffusion across the membrane. The lateral diffusion of proteins was confirmed through the cell fusion experiment where mouse and human cells were fused, resulting in hybrid cells. When the human and mouse cells fused, the specific membrane proteins on human and mouse cells were marked with the red and green-fluorescent markers, respectively. Initially, the red and green fluorescence was located on the respective hemisphere of the cell. As time...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and produces two-second...

