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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.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...

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Mosaic nature of the membrane
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Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

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Microorganisms display remarkable adaptations, enabling them to thrive in diverse ecological niches across a wide range of temperatures. Temperature profoundly influences microbial growth by affecting enzymatic activity, membrane fluidity, and other cellular processes.Each microorganism operates within a specific temperature range defined by three cardinal points: minimum, optimum, and maximum. Below the minimum temperature, membranes lose fluidity, halting transport processes. Above the...

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Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes

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Dynamics of cell membrane permeability changes at supraphysiological temperatures

J C Bischof¹, J Padanilam, W H Holmes

¹Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.

Biophysical Journal

|June 1, 1995

Summary

High temperatures progressively damage cell membranes, increasing permeability over time. This study reveals continuous plasma membrane compromise in cells exposed to temperatures above normal physiological levels.

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Area of Science:

Cell biology
Biophysics
Membrane transport

Background:

Understanding cellular responses to thermal stress is crucial.
Plasma membrane integrity is vital for cell survival.
Previous studies lack real-time characterization of membrane permeability changes at supraphysiological temperatures.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and utilize a quantitative fluorescent microscopy system.
To characterize real-time effects of supraphysiological temperatures (37-70°C) on cell plasma membranes.
To assess membrane permeability changes in mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and rat skeletal muscle cells.

Main Methods:

Quantitative fluorescent microscopy.
Monitoring calcein dye leakage as a measure of membrane permeability.
Applying a two-compartment transport model for data analysis.

Main Results:

Increased temperature directly correlated with accelerated dye leakage kinetics.
A time-dependent permeability model provided a statistically superior fit to experimental data compared to a constant permeability model for both cell types.
The rate of membrane permeability increase was observed in both fibroblasts and muscle cells.

Conclusions:

Plasma membrane integrity is progressively compromised under supraphysiological thermal stress.
The dynamic nature of membrane permeability changes is critical for understanding thermal injury.
The developed microscopy system offers a valuable tool for real-time assessment of membrane responses to temperature variations.