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Related Concept Videos

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

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%...
Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters01:19

Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters

Enzymes like flippase, floppase, and scramblase transfer phospholipids from one layer to another in the membrane, thereby affecting membrane asymmetry.
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
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...
Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

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 anterior...
Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

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 pathway, which...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers
10:15

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 22, 2015

Lipid-Substrate Interactions Lead to Bilayer Asymmetry.

Ruofei Wang1, Ella Gregory1, Brandon A Oswald1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Hydrogen bonding drives lipid asymmetry in supported lipid bilayers, mirroring cell membranes. Phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine preferentially partition to the lower leaflet, influenced by surface interactions.

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Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers
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Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
07:31

Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies

Published on: September 1, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cell membranes exhibit lipid asymmetry, with specific lipids enriched in inner or outer leaflets.
  • Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are model systems to study membrane properties.
  • Understanding lipid distribution is crucial for membrane function and cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the factors governing lipid asymmetry in SLBs.
  • To determine the role of hydrogen bonding in lipid leaflet distribution.
  • To compare lipid asymmetry in SLBs with that in cellular plasma membranes.

Main Methods:

  • Formation of SLBs on planar glass and protein-coated substrates via vesicle fusion.
  • Quantification of leaflet distribution using fluorescence microscopy and bilayer unzipping.
  • Utilizing tail-labeled lipid probes (phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine) to track distribution.

Main Results:

  • Phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) preferentially partitioned to the lower leaflet (75%) of SLBs.
  • This partitioning was enhanced in D2O, indicating strong hydrogen bond formation with the substrate.
  • Hydrogen bonding was the dominant factor, outweighing salt concentration effects.
  • Phosphatidylcholine (PC) showed no leaflet preference as it could not hydrogen bond with the surface.
  • 2D diffusion of PS and PE was dependent on available surface hydrogen bonding sites.

Conclusions:

  • Hydrogen bonding between lipid headgroups and substrate silanols dictates lipid asymmetry in SLBs.
  • The observed lipid distribution in SLBs mimics the asymmetry found in cellular plasma membranes.
  • Surface hydrogen-bonding environments may be a key factor in establishing and maintaining lipid asymmetry in vivo.