Ceramide-containing membranes: the interface between biophysics and biology

Stiban, Johnny; Silva, Liana C.; Futerman, Anthony H.

doi:10.4052/tigg.20.297

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 149 publications

(149 reference statements)

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“…It was suggested that altered levels of GlcCer might disturb membrane structure and lipid lateral organization and perturb the conformation of V-ATPase, resulting in pH changes that might alter the cellular trafficking of the proton pump, leading to a cascade of events that could impair cell function. ,, Other studies have demonstrated that GlcCer affects membrane biophysical properties, supporting a role of GlcCer on the modulation of membrane properties, and consequent alteration of membrane organization. Similar evidence was obtained for sphingomyelin (SM) and ceramides, , inasmuch as these lipids may exert their biological action through formation of lipid domains with distinct packing properties . Even though many studies address the impact of these lipids on membrane biophysical properties, , literature regarding the effect of pH on the organization of these SLs is scarce.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Similar evidence was obtained for sphingomyelin (SM) 16 and ceramides, 17,18 inasmuch as these lipids may exert their biological action through formation of lipid domains with distinct packing properties. 19 Even though many studies address the impact of these lipids on membrane biophysical properties, 20,21 literature regarding the effect of pH on the organization of these SLs is scarce.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of Intracellular Membrane pH on Sphingolipid Organization and Membrane Biophysical Properties

Varela

Silva²,

Fedorov³

et al. 2014

Langmuir

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Glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is a signaling lipid involved in the regulation of several cellular processes. It is present in different organelles, including the plasma membrane, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes. Accordingly, GlcCer is exposed to different pH environments in each organelle, which may lead to alterations in its properties and lateral organization and subsequent biological outcome. In this study, we addressed the effect of pH on the biophysical behavior of this lipid and other structurally related sphingolipids (SLs). Membranes composed of POPC (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and C16-GlcCer, sphingomyelin, and different acyl chain ceramides were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, and surface pressure-area measurements under neutral and acidic conditions. The results show that changing the pH from 7.4 to 5.5 has a larger impact on C16-GlcCer-containing membranes compared to other SLs. In addition, acidification mainly affects the organization and packing properties of the GlcCer-enriched gel phase, suggesting that the interactions established by the glucose moiety, in the GlcCer molecule, are those most affected by the increase in the acidity. These results further highlight the role of GlcCer as a modulator of membrane biophysical properties and will possibly contribute to the understanding of its biological function in different organelles.

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