Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

3.0K
Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...
3.0K
Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

5.4K
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.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...
5.4K
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

11.9K
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...
11.9K
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

14
Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis...
14
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

7.3K
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%...
7.3K
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

152.6K
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.
152.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Application Effectiveness Analysis of Artificial Intelligence-assisted Teaching in Standardized Training for Medical Imaging Residents.

Academic radiology·2026
Same author

Transcription Factor ATF4 Deletion Reprograms Glucose Metabolism in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Cancers·2026
Same author

Transcription Start Site Choice Regulates m<sup>6</sup>A Stoichiometry in Cap-Proximal Regions.

Genes·2026
Same author

Validation of the mRNA epitranscriptome: SCARPET reveals that mapped m<sup>1</sup>A sites are inosine.

EMBO reports·2026
Same author

Ampyrone is a direct agonist of human tyrosinase and a potential therapeutic for hypopigmentation disorders.

JCI insight·2026
Same author

Targeting melanosome pH is an effective method for the treatment of oculocutaneous albinism.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Single-Molecule Diffusion and Assembly on Polymer-Crowded Lipid Membranes
10:43

Single-Molecule Diffusion and Assembly on Polymer-Crowded Lipid Membranes

Published on: July 19, 2022

2.3K

Biomolecular condensates create phospholipid-enriched microenvironments.

Jason G Dumelie1, Qiuying Chen1, Dawson Miller1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.

Nature Chemical Biology
|November 17, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Cellular condensates, formed by proteins and RNA, are enriched with phospholipids. These lipids influence condensate properties and are integral to diverse cellular compartments, suggesting a role in signaling.

More Related Videos

Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film
08:23

Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film

Published on: July 10, 2016

18.3K
In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers
08:10

In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 28, 2018

12.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Single-Molecule Diffusion and Assembly on Polymer-Crowded Lipid Membranes
10:43

Single-Molecule Diffusion and Assembly on Polymer-Crowded Lipid Membranes

Published on: July 19, 2022

2.3K
Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film
08:23

Automated Lipid Bilayer Membrane Formation Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Thin Film

Published on: July 10, 2016

18.3K
In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers
08:10

In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 28, 2018

12.2K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Proteins and RNA can undergo phase separation to form membrane-less subcellular compartments called condensates.
  • These condensates create distinct chemical microenvironments within the cell.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the metabolomes of protein-RNA condensates.
  • To investigate the role of metabolites, particularly phospholipids, in condensate formation and function.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mass spectrometry to identify metabolites enriched within phase-separated condensates.
  • Prepared mixtures of phase-separated proteins and cellular metabolite extracts.
  • Examined the impact of phospholipids on condensate number, size, and morphology.

Main Results:

  • Phospholipids were identified as significantly enriched metabolites within condensates, driven by their hydrophobic fatty acyl chains.
  • Phospholipids were found to modulate condensate number, size, and morphology.
  • Phospholipids were observed to partition into both endogenous and artificial cellular condensates.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular condensates are often protein-RNA-lipid mixtures, not just protein-RNA.
  • The unique chemical microenvironment within condensates facilitates phospholipid biology and signaling.
  • Phospholipids play a crucial role in regulating condensate properties and cellular function.