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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Membrane Proteins01:16

Introduction to Membrane Proteins

The cell membrane, or plasma membrane, is an ever-changing landscape. It is described as a fluid mosaic where various macromolecules are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. Among the macromolecules are proteins. The protein content varies across cell types. For example, mitochondrial inner membranes contain ~76% protein content, while myelin contains ~18% protein content. Individual cells contain many types of membrane proteins—red blood cells contain over 50—and different cell types have...
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...
Membrane Fluidity01:26

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...
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

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...
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane01:24

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...
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...

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LAURDAN since Weber: The Quest for Visualizing Membrane Heterogeneity.

German Gunther1, Leonel Malacrida2, David M Jameson3

  • 1Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Sergio Livingstone P. 1007, Santiago 8380492, Chile.

Accounts of Chemical Research
|January 29, 2021
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Summary

Researchers use the fluorescent probe LAURDAN to study membrane bilayer heterogeneity. This method reveals lipid domains and dynamics in living systems, offering insights into membrane physical chemistry.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Cell membranes exhibit heterogeneity due to dynamic lipid domains.
  • Understanding membrane heterogeneity is crucial for studying molecular interactions.
  • Artificial and natural membranes display distinct heterogeneity characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review methods for assessing membrane heterogeneity using the fluorescent probe LAURDAN.
  • To highlight the principles, advantages, and limitations of LAURDAN-based techniques.
  • To guide researchers in selecting appropriate methods for membrane studies.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing the fluorescent probe LAURDAN to sense membrane physical-chemistry.
  • Employing microscopy and fluctuation techniques for temporal and spatial analysis.
  • Applying generalized polarization (GP) and phasor analysis for spectral and lifetime imaging.
  • Combining LAURDAN GP with fluctuation correlation spectroscopy (FCS) for high temporal resolution.

Main Results:

  • LAURDAN's spectral shifts correlate with membrane fluidity (fluid vs. gel phases).
  • Microscopic GP measurements enable visualization of lipid segregation in liposomes and cells.
  • Fluorescent lifetime imaging with phasor analysis provides pixel-by-pixel membrane polarity and relaxation data.
  • FCS combined with LAURDAN reveals the dynamics of nanometric membrane domains.

Conclusions:

  • LAURDAN-based methodologies offer versatile approaches to study membrane heterogeneity.
  • The choice of technique depends on the specific research question regarding membrane properties.
  • These methods provide insights into membrane dynamics, lipid segregation, and domain characteristics.