Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Determination of Lipid Raft Partitioning of Fluorescently-tagged Probes in Living Cells by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS)
10:59

Determination of Lipid Raft Partitioning of Fluorescently-tagged Probes in Living Cells by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS)

Published on: April 6, 2012

Lipid rafts are required for efficient signal transduction by CD1d

Yoon-Kyung Park1, Joong-Won Lee, Young-Gyu Ko

  • 1Graduate School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Anam-Dong, Sungbuk-Ku, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|January 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Murine CD1d (mCD1d) molecules are found in lipid rafts on antigen-presenting cells. This localization is crucial for efficient natural killer T (NKT) cell signaling, even without co-receptors.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Plasma membranes contain specialized lipid raft microdomains rich in cholesterol and sphingolipids.
  • These microdomains are critical for signal transduction via immune cell receptors.
  • CD1d molecules present lipid antigens to natural killer T (NKT) cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the localization and signaling role of murine CD1d (mCD1d) in lipid rafts.
  • To determine the importance of mCD1d's raft localization for NKT cell activation.
  • To explore potential co-regulatory molecules involved in mCD1d-NKT cell interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Immunofluorescence microscopy to visualize mCD1d localization.
  • Biochemical assays to analyze lipid raft composition.
  • NKT cell activation assays to assess signaling efficiency.

Main Results:

  • Murine CD1d (mCD1d) is constitutively present in plasma membrane lipid rafts of antigen-presenting cells.
  • Restricted localization of mCD1d within lipid rafts is essential for efficient NKT cell signaling, particularly at low ligand densities.
  • NKT cell recognition of mCD1d does not require CD4 or CD8 co-receptors for effective signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Lipid raft localization of mCD1d is critical for effective NKT cell activation.
  • mCD1d-mediated NKT cell signaling can occur independently of CD4/CD8 co-receptors.
  • Additional regulatory molecules may exist within lipid rafts to facilitate mCD1d-NKT cell interactions.

More Related Videos

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer10:34

Ligand Nano-cluster Arrays in a Supported Lipid Bilayer

Published on: April 23, 2017

Lipid Exchange Assay in Living Cells08:59

Lipid Exchange Assay in Living Cells

Published on: March 21, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Receptor-mediated Endocytosis01:38

Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

Overview
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...
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...
Assembly of Signaling Complexes01:30

Assembly of Signaling Complexes

Multiprotein signaling complexes are formed in a dynamic process involving protein-protein interactions at the cytoplasmic domain of transmembrane receptors or enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins associated with the receptor. These complexes ensure the activation and propagation of intracellular signals that regulate cell functions.
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway01:11

IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway

Membrane lipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI) are precursors for several membrane-bound and soluble second messengers. Specific kinases phosphorylate PI and produce phosphorylated inositol phospholipids. One such inositol phospholipids are the  phosphatidylinositol-4,5 bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], present in the inner half of the lipid bilayer. Upon ligand binding, GPCR stimulates Gq proteins to turn on phospholipase Cꞵ. Activated phospholipase Cꞵ cleaves PI(4,5)P2 and produces two-second...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...