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Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

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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%...
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The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
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Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
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The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...
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Phosphoinositides and PIPs01:42

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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.
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A Pipeline to Investigate the Structures and Signaling Pathways of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors
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Sphingolipids controlling ciliary and microvillar function.

Fabian Kaiser1, Mylene Huebecker1, Dagmar Wachten1

  • 1Institute of Innate Immunity, Biophysical Imaging, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Germany.

FEBS Letters
|May 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sphingolipids are crucial for the specialized functions of cellular protrusions like cilia and microvilli. This review explores their role in defining the identity and controlling the function of these important cell structures.

Keywords:
ciliaflagellaglycosphingolipidsmicrovillisphingolipids

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cilia and microvilli are distinct membrane protrusions found on mammalian cells.
  • Motile cilia facilitate cell movement and fluid flow, while immotile primary cilia act as sensory organelles.
  • Microvilli, primarily on epithelial cells, enhance nutrient absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the role of sphingolipids in cilia and microvilli.
  • To highlight how sphingolipids define the identity and function of these cellular structures.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on cilia, microvilli, and sphingolipids.
  • Analysis of the lipid and protein repertoires of these subcellular compartments.

Main Results:

  • Sphingolipids contribute to the unique identity of cilia and microvilli.
  • These lipids play a key role in regulating the specialized functions of cilia and microvilli.

Conclusions:

  • Sphingolipids are essential regulators of cilia and microvilli function.
  • Understanding sphingolipid roles can provide insights into cellular signaling and absorption processes.