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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

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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...
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Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

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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.
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Lipids as Anchors01:32

Lipids as Anchors

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In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...
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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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Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

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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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Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

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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.
Protein Domains
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Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis
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The Liquid State of RIM1α and RBP Condensates is Maintained by Lipids.

Charlotte M Fischer1, Zenon Toprakcioglu1, Ella de Csilléry1

  • 1Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom.

ACS Nano
|November 21, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The presynaptic proteins RIM1α and RIM-binding protein (RBP) form liquid condensates that can transition to solid, fibrillar aggregates. Lipids may prevent this aggregation, crucial for understanding synaptic function and related disorders.

Keywords:
amyloid formationbiophysicslipid vesiclesliquid-to-solid transitionliquid−liquid phase separation (LLPS)protein aggregation

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • RIM1α and RBP are key presynaptic proteins regulating vesicle docking and priming.
  • These proteins are implicated in active zone organization and protein condensate formation via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS).
  • LLPS is linked to cellular functions and disorders, as condensates can promote protein aggregation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phase behavior of RIM1α and RBP.
  • To understand the mechanisms of phase separation and aggregation of these proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Biophysical techniques
  • Fluorescence microscopy
  • Characterization methods
  • Investigation in the presence of lipid vesicles

Main Results:

  • RIM1α and RBP spontaneously form liquid biomolecular condensates under physiological conditions.
  • These liquid condensates mature over time, transitioning to solid, β-sheet-rich, fibrillar aggregates.
  • Lipid vesicles suppress the liquid-to-solid transition, suggesting lipids maintain condensate liquidity.

Conclusions:

  • RIM1α and RBP exhibit phase separation and can aggregate into fibrillar structures within condensates.
  • Lipids play a role in maintaining the liquid state of RIM1α/RBP condensates.
  • These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of protein aggregation relevant to synaptic function and disease.