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Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Aug 2019Cells are constantly submitted to external mechanical stresses, which they must withstand and respond to. By forming a physical boundary between cells and their... (Review)
Review
Cells are constantly submitted to external mechanical stresses, which they must withstand and respond to. By forming a physical boundary between cells and their environment that is also a biochemical platform, the plasma membrane (PM) is a key interface mediating both cellular response to mechanical stimuli, and subsequent biochemical responses. Here, we review the role of the PM as a mechanosensing structure. We first analyse how the PM responds to mechanical stresses, and then discuss how this mechanical response triggers downstream biochemical responses. The molecular players involved in PM mechanochemical transduction include sensors of membrane unfolding, membrane tension, membrane curvature or membrane domain rearrangement. These sensors trigger signalling cascades fundamental both in healthy scenarios and in diseases such as cancer, which cells harness to maintain integrity, keep or restore homeostasis and adapt to their external environment. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Forces in cancer: interdisciplinary approaches in tumour mechanobiology'.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Homeostasis; Humans; Mechanotransduction, Cellular
PubMed: 31431176
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0221 -
Neuropharmacology Jun 2020
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Humans; Membrane Microdomains; Membrane Proteins; Neurons
PubMed: 32151647
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108043 -
Journal of Plant Research Jan 2018Plant cortical microtubules have crucial roles in cell wall development. Cortical microtubules are tightly anchored to the plasma membrane in a highly ordered array,... (Review)
Review
Plant cortical microtubules have crucial roles in cell wall development. Cortical microtubules are tightly anchored to the plasma membrane in a highly ordered array, which directs the deposition of cellulose microfibrils by guiding the movement of the cellulose synthase complex. Cortical microtubules also interact with several endomembrane systems to regulate cell wall development and other cellular events. Recent studies have identified new factors that mediate interactions between cortical microtubules and endomembrane systems including the plasma membrane, endosome, exocytic vesicles, and endoplasmic reticulum. These studies revealed that cortical microtubule-membrane interactions are highly dynamic, with specialized roles in developmental and environmental signaling pathways. A recent reconstructive study identified a novel function of the cortical microtubule-plasma membrane interaction, which acts as a lateral fence that defines plasma membrane domains. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms and functions of cortical microtubule-membrane interactions.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Microtubules; Plant Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 29170834
DOI: 10.1007/s10265-017-0995-4 -
Trends in Cell Biology Feb 2021Membrane protein organization is essential for proper cellular functioning and the result of a dynamic exchange between protein monomers, nanoscale protein clusters, and... (Review)
Review
Membrane protein organization is essential for proper cellular functioning and the result of a dynamic exchange between protein monomers, nanoscale protein clusters, and microscale higher-order structures. This exchange is affected by both lipid bilayer intrinsic factors, such as lipid rafts and tetraspanins, and extrinsic factors, such as cortical actin and galectins. Because membrane organizers act jointly like instruments in a symphony, it is challenging to define the 'key' organizers. Here, we posit, for the first time, definitions of key intrinsic and extrinsic membrane organizers. Tetraspanin nanodomains are key organizers that are often overlooked. We discuss how different key organizers can collaborate, which is important to get a full grasp of plasma membrane biology.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Humans; Membrane Microdomains; Membrane Proteins; Tetraspanins
PubMed: 33248874
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.11.004 -
Physiological Reviews Oct 2015Eukaryotic cells have been confronted throughout their evolution with potentially lethal plasma membrane injuries, including those caused by osmotic stress, by infection... (Review)
Review
Eukaryotic cells have been confronted throughout their evolution with potentially lethal plasma membrane injuries, including those caused by osmotic stress, by infection from bacterial toxins and parasites, and by mechanical and ischemic stress. The wounded cell can survive if a rapid repair response is mounted that restores boundary integrity. Calcium has been identified as the key trigger to activate an effective membrane repair response that utilizes exocytosis and endocytosis to repair a membrane tear, or remove a membrane pore. We here review what is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of membrane repair, with particular emphasis on the relevance of repair as it relates to disease pathologies. Collective evidence reveals membrane repair employs primitive yet robust molecular machinery, such as vesicle fusion and contractile rings, processes evolutionarily honed for simplicity and success. Yet to be fully understood is whether core membrane repair machinery exists in all cells, or whether evolutionary adaptation has resulted in multiple compensatory repair pathways that specialize in different tissues and cells within our body.
Topics: Animals; Calcium; Cell Membrane; Endocytosis; Exocytosis; Humans; Wound Healing
PubMed: 26336031
DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00037.2014 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2021The plasma membrane protects the eukaryotic cell from its surroundings and is essential for cell viability; thus, it is crucial that membrane disruptions are repaired... (Review)
Review
The plasma membrane protects the eukaryotic cell from its surroundings and is essential for cell viability; thus, it is crucial that membrane disruptions are repaired quickly to prevent immediate dyshomeostasis and cell death. Accordingly, cells have developed efficient repair mechanisms to rapidly reseal ruptures and reestablish membrane integrity. The cortical actin cytoskeleton plays an instrumental role in both plasma membrane resealing and restructuring in response to damage. Actin directly aids membrane repair or indirectly assists auxiliary repair mechanisms. Studies investigating single-cell wound repair have often focused on the recruitment and activation of specialized repair machinery, despite the undeniable need for rapid and dynamic cortical actin modulation; thus, the role of the cortical actin cytoskeleton during wound repair has received limited attention. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of membrane repair mechanisms directly or indirectly involving cortical actin cytoskeletal remodeling.
Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Animals; Cell Membrane; Cell Physiological Phenomena; Humans; Single-Cell Analysis; Wound Healing
PubMed: 34639226
DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910886 -
Current Biology : CB Apr 2018Biological membranes are thin amphiphilic sheaths, only a few nanometres thick, that define both the boundaries of all cells as well as the diversity of the internal...
Biological membranes are thin amphiphilic sheaths, only a few nanometres thick, that define both the boundaries of all cells as well as the diversity of the internal compartments in eukaryotes. The plasma membrane of a typical prokaryote houses about 20-30% of the cell's expressed proteins, and its lipids account for approximately 10% of the cell's dry mass. The numbers for eukaryotic cells are comparable - the difference in surface area to volume ratio is overall compensated by the eukaryotic endomembrane system. Roughly a fourth of the protein encoded by the human genome carries at least one stretch of sequence predicted to serve as a transmembrane domain. Membranes host substrate exchange, sensing and communication, and life-giving energy conservation via chemiosmotic ATP synthesis.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Biophysical Phenomena; Cell Fusion; Cell Membrane; Eukaryotic Cells; Evolution, Molecular; Humans; Membrane Proteins; Phospholipids; Phylogeny; Prokaryotic Cells
PubMed: 29689219
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.01.086 -
Trends in Biotechnology Nov 2021Due to its versatility and programmability, DNA nanotechnology has greatly expanded the experimental toolbox for biomedical research. Recent advances allow reliable and... (Review)
Review
Due to its versatility and programmability, DNA nanotechnology has greatly expanded the experimental toolbox for biomedical research. Recent advances allow reliable and efficient functionalization of cellular plasma membranes with a variety of synthetic DNA constructs, ranging from single strands to complex 3D DNA origami. The scope for applications, which probe biophysical parameters or equip cells with novel functions, is rapidly increasing. These applications extend from programmed cellular connectivity and tissue engineering to molecular force measurements, controlled receptor-ligand interactions, membrane-anchored biosensors, and artificial transmembrane structures. Here, we give guidance on different strategies to functionalize cellular membranes with DNA nanotechnology and summarize current trends employing membrane-anchored DNA as a tool in biophysics, cell biology, and synthetic biology.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Cell Membrane; DNA; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology
PubMed: 33722382
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.02.002 -
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics Jan 2021The lipid composition impacts directly on the structure and function of the cytoplasmic as well as organelle membranes. Depending on the type of membrane, specific... (Review)
Review
The lipid composition impacts directly on the structure and function of the cytoplasmic as well as organelle membranes. Depending on the type of membrane, specific lipids are required to accommodate, intercalate, or pack membrane proteins to the proper functioning of the cells/organelles. Rather than being only a physical barrier that separates the inner from the outer spaces, membranes are responsible for many biochemical events such as cell-to-cell communication, protein-lipid interaction, intracellular signaling, and energy storage. Photochemical reactions occur naturally in many biological membranes and are responsible for diverse processes such as photosynthesis and vision/phototaxis. However, excessive exposure to light in the presence of absorbing molecules produces excited states and other oxidant species that may cause cell aging/death, mutations and innumerable diseases including cancer. At the same time, targeting key compartments of diseased cells with light can be a promising strategy to treat many diseases in a clinical procedure called Photodynamic Therapy. Here we analyze the relationships between membrane alterations induced by photo-oxidation and the biochemical responses in mammalian cells. We specifically address the impact of photosensitization reactions in membranes of different organelles such as mitochondria, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, and plasma membrane, and the subsequent responses of eukaryotic cells.
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Humans; Light; Oxidation-Reduction
PubMed: 33159891
DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108665 -
Open Biology Oct 2018Repair of wounds to individual cells is crucial for organisms to survive daily physiological or environmental stresses, as well as pathogen assaults, which disrupt the... (Review)
Review
Repair of wounds to individual cells is crucial for organisms to survive daily physiological or environmental stresses, as well as pathogen assaults, which disrupt the plasma membrane. Sensing wounds, resealing membranes, closing wounds and remodelling plasma membrane/cortical cytoskeleton are four major steps that are essential to return cells to their pre-wounded states. This process relies on dynamic changes of the membrane/cytoskeleton that are indispensable for carrying out the repairs within tens of minutes. Studies from different cell wound repair models over the last two decades have revealed that the molecular mechanisms of single cell wound repair are very diverse and dependent on wound type, size, and/or species. Interestingly, different repair models have been shown to use similar proteins to achieve the same end result, albeit sometimes by distinctive mechanisms. Recent studies using cutting edge microscopy and molecular techniques are shedding new light on the molecular mechanisms during cellular wound repair. Here, we describe what is currently known about the mechanisms underlying this repair process. In addition, we discuss how the study of cellular wound repair-a powerful and inducible model-can contribute to our understanding of other fundamental biological processes such as cytokinesis, cell migration, cancer metastasis and human diseases.
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Cytoskeleton; Humans; Models, Animal; Single-Cell Analysis; Wound Healing
PubMed: 30282661
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180135