The fine‐tuning of cell membrane lipid bilayers accentuates their compositional complexity

Abstract

Cell membranes are now emerging as finely tuned molecular systems, signifying that re-evaluation of our understanding of their structure is essential. Although the idea that cell membrane lipid bilayers do little more than give shape and form to cells and limit diffusion between cells and their environment is totally passé, the structural, compositional, and functional complexity of lipid bilayers often catches cell and molecular biologists by surprise. Models of lipid bilayer structure have developed considerably since the heyday of the fluid mosaic model, principally by the discovery of the restricted diffusion of membrane proteins and lipids within the plane of the bilayer.In reviewing this field, we now suggest that further refinement of current models is necessary and propose that describing lipid bilayers as "finely-tuned molecular assemblies" best portrays their complexity and function.

Dynamic lipid aptamers: non-polymeric chemical path to early life

“…Compositional and structural variation is observed from the level of membrane leaflet to that of a whole organism, consistent with the possibility that membrane lipids fulfill many functions beyond mere compartmentalization. 6 Interdisciplinary approaches have revealed the functional underpinnings of such diversity, stemming from an emerging understanding of lipid-lipid and lipid-target interactions. 7 In contemporary life, an alphabet of 20 amino acid residues, differing in size, electric charge and polarity, build all proteins.…”

“…Finally, small changes in protein sequence among phylogenetically different PH domains can lead to significant lipid recognition changes, suggesting that dynamic aptamers may portray a great measure of fine tuning. 6…”

“…Finally, cellular information is traditionally attributed solely to sequence-based biological polymers such as RNA and proteins, while lipids, with a few exceptions, 5,6,37 are rarely thought of as information carriers. Yet, according to combinatorial analyses, lipid compositional information is comparable to sequence-based information of biopolymers, 18 and appears directly related to molecular recognition functions.…”

Omega-3 Index is Directly Associated with a Healthy Red Blood Cell Distribution Width

“…In recent years, RDW has been found to be a predictor of multiple adverse health outcomes unrelated to anemia, including increased risk for death from cardiovascular disease [6][7][8][9][10][11][12], SARS-CoV-2 [13][14][15], sepsis [16,17], lung disease [18], and cancer [19,20]. Like all cell membranes, RBC membranes are a complex lipid bilayer composed of glycerolipids, sphingomyelin and cholesterol [21]. Fatty acids are major components of the former two and contribute to the structural integrity and function of cell membranes.…”

“…Like all cell membranes, RBC membranes are a complex lipid bilayer composed of glycerolipids, sphingomyelin and cholesterol [21]. Fatty acids are major components of the former two and contribute to the structural integrity and function of cell membranes.…”