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Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... May 2018The plasma membrane represents an outstanding example of self-organization in biology. It plays a vital role in protecting the integrity of the cell interior and... (Review)
Review
The plasma membrane represents an outstanding example of self-organization in biology. It plays a vital role in protecting the integrity of the cell interior and regulates meticulously the import and export of diverse substances. Its major building blocks are proteins and lipids, which self-assemble to a fluid lipid bilayer driven mainly by hydrophobic forces. Even if the plasma membrane appears-globally speaking-homogeneous at physiological temperatures, the existence of specialized nano- to micrometre-sized domains of raft-type character within cellular and synthetic membrane systems has been reported. It is hypothesized that these domains are the origin of a plethora of cellular processes, such as signalling or vesicular trafficking. This review intends to highlight the driving forces of lipid self-assembly into a bilayer membrane and the formation of small, transient domains within the plasma membrane. The mechanisms of self-assembly depend on several factors, such as the lipid composition of the membrane and the geometry of lipids. Moreover, the dynamics and organization of glycosphingolipids into nanometre-sized clusters will be discussed, also in the context of multivalent lectins, which cluster several glycosphingolipid receptor molecules and thus create an asymmetric stress between the two membrane leaflets, leading to tubular plasma membrane invaginations.This article is part of the theme issue 'Self-organization in cell biology'.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Glycosphingolipids; Lipid Bilayers; Protein Transport; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 29632269
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0117 -
The Journal of Physiology Jun 2016Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-plasma membrane (PM) junctions are contact sites between the ER and the PM; the distance between the two organelles in the junctions is below... (Review)
Review
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-plasma membrane (PM) junctions are contact sites between the ER and the PM; the distance between the two organelles in the junctions is below 40 nm and the membranes are connected by protein tethers. A number of molecular tools and technical approaches have been recently developed to visualise, modify and characterise properties of ER-PM junctions. The junctions serve as the platforms for lipid exchange between the organelles and for cell signalling, notably Ca(2+) and cAMP signalling. Vice versa, signalling events regulate the development and properties of the junctions. Two Ca(2+) -dependent mechanisms of de novo formation of ER-PM junctions have been recently described and characterised. The junction-forming proteins and lipids are currently the focus of vigorous investigation. Junctions can be relatively short-lived and simple structures, forming and dissolving on the time scale of a few minutes. However, complex, sophisticated and multifunctional ER-PM junctions, capable of attracting numerous protein residents and other cellular organelles, have been described in some cell types. The road from simplicity to complexity, i.e. the transformation from simple 'nascent' ER-PM junctions to advanced stable multiorganellar complexes, is likely to become an attractive research avenue for current and future junctologists. Another area of considerable research interest is the downstream cellular processes that can be activated by specific local signalling events in the ER-PM junctions. Studies of the cell physiology and indeed pathophysiology of ER-PM junctions have already produced some surprising discoveries, likely to expand with advances in our understanding of these remarkable organellar contact sites.
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Humans; Intercellular Junctions
PubMed: 26939537
DOI: 10.1113/JP271142 -
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology Apr 2015The cell wall provides external support of the plant cells, while the cytoskeletons including the microtubules and the actin filaments constitute an internal framework.... (Review)
Review
The cell wall provides external support of the plant cells, while the cytoskeletons including the microtubules and the actin filaments constitute an internal framework. The cytoskeletons contribute to the cell wall biosynthesis by spatially and temporarily regulating the transportation and deposition of cell wall components. This tight control is achieved by the dynamic behavior of the cytoskeletons, but also through the tethering of these structures to the plasma membrane. This tethering may also extend beyond the plasma membrane and impact on the cell wall, possibly in the form of a feedback loop. In this review, we discuss the linking components between the cytoskeletons and the plasma membrane, and/or the cell wall. We also discuss the prospective roles of these components in cell wall biosynthesis and modifications, and aim to provide a platform for further studies in this field.
Topics: Actins; Cell Membrane; Cell Wall; Cytoskeleton; Microtubules; Models, Biological
PubMed: 25693826
DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12342 -
Plant Science : An International... Mar 2021Cell-to-cell communication is crucial in coordinating diverse biological processes in multicellular organisms. In plants, communication between adjacent cells occurs via... (Review)
Review
Cell-to-cell communication is crucial in coordinating diverse biological processes in multicellular organisms. In plants, communication between adjacent cells occurs via nanotubular passages called plasmodesmata (PD). The PD passage is composed of an appressed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) internally, and plasma membrane (PM) externally, that traverses the cell wall, and associates with the actin-cytoskeleton. The coordination of the ER, PM and cytoskeleton plays a potential role in maintaining the architecture and conductivity of PD. Many data suggest that PD-associated proteins can serve as tethers that connect these structures in a functional PD, to regulate cell-to-cell communication. In this review, we summarize the organization and regulation of PD activity via tethering proteins, and discuss the importance of PD-mediated cell-to-cell communication in plant development and defense against environmental stress.
Topics: Actins; Cell Membrane; Cell Wall; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Membrane Proteins; Plant Proteins; Plants; Plasmodesmata
PubMed: 33568299
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110800 -
Cancer Metastasis Reviews Sep 2018The cell plasma membrane serves as a nexus integrating extra- and intracellular components, which together enable many of the fundamental cellular signaling processes... (Review)
Review
The cell plasma membrane serves as a nexus integrating extra- and intracellular components, which together enable many of the fundamental cellular signaling processes that sustain life. In order to perform this key function, plasma membrane components assemble into well-defined domains exhibiting distinct biochemical and biophysical properties that modulate various signaling events. Dysregulation of these highly dynamic membrane domains can promote oncogenic signaling. Recently, it has been demonstrated that select membrane-targeted dietary bioactives (MTDBs) have the ability to remodel plasma membrane domains and subsequently reduce cancer risk. In this review, we focus on the importance of plasma membrane domain structural and signaling functionalities as well as how loss of membrane homeostasis can drive aberrant signaling. Additionally, we discuss the intricacies associated with the investigation of these membrane domain features and their associations with cancer biology. Lastly, we describe the current literature focusing on MTDBs, including mechanisms of chemoprevention and therapeutics in order to establish a functional link between these membrane-altering biomolecules, tuning of plasma membrane hierarchal organization, and their implications in cancer prevention.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Biochemical Phenomena; Biomarkers; Biophysical Phenomena; Cell Membrane; Chemoprevention; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Membrane Lipids; Membrane Microdomains; Membrane Proteins; Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 29860560
DOI: 10.1007/s10555-018-9733-1 -
Current Opinion in Microbiology Feb 2023Manipulation of the host cell plasma membrane is critical during infection by intracellular bacterial pathogens, particularly during bacterial entry into and exit from... (Review)
Review
Manipulation of the host cell plasma membrane is critical during infection by intracellular bacterial pathogens, particularly during bacterial entry into and exit from host cells. To manipulate host cells, bacteria deploy secreted proteins that modulate or modify host cell components. Here, we review recent advances that suggest common themes by which bacteria manipulate the host cell plasma membrane. One theme is that bacteria use diverse strategies to target or influence host cell plasma membrane composition and shape. A second theme is that bacteria take advantage of host cell plasma membrane-associated pathways such as signal transduction, endocytosis, and exocytosis. Future investigation into how bacterial and host factors contribute to plasma membrane manipulation by bacterial pathogens will reveal new insights into pathogenesis and fundamental principles of plasma membrane biology.
Topics: Bacteria; Cell Membrane; Endocytosis; Signal Transduction; Host-Pathogen Interactions
PubMed: 36442349
DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102241 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2018Antitumor immunity is shaped by the different types of immune cells that are present in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, environmental signals (for... (Review)
Review
Antitumor immunity is shaped by the different types of immune cells that are present in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In particular, environmental signals (for instance, soluble factors or cell-cell contact) transmitted through the plasma membrane determine whether immune cells are activated or inhibited. Tetraspanin proteins are emerging as central building blocks of the plasma membrane by their capacity to cluster immune receptors, enzymes, and signaling molecules into the tetraspanin web. Whereas some tetraspanins (CD81, CD151, CD9) are widely and broadly expressed, others (CD53, CD37, Tssc6) have an expression pattern restricted to hematopoietic cells. Studies using genetic mouse models have identified important immunological functions of these tetraspanins on different leukocyte subsets, and as such, may be involved in the immune response against tumors. While multiple studies have been performed with regards to deciphering the function of tetraspanins on cancer cells, the effect of tetraspanins on immune cells in the antitumor response remains understudied. In this review, we will focus on tetraspanins expressed by immune cells and discuss their potential role in antitumor immunity. New insights in tetraspanin function in the TME and possible prognostic and therapeutic roles of tetraspanins will be discussed.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Models, Immunological; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplasms; Tetraspanins
PubMed: 29896201
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01185 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2021Tetraspanins are a family of transmembrane proteins that form a network of protein-protein interactions within the plasma membrane. Within this network, tetraspanin are...
Tetraspanins are a family of transmembrane proteins that form a network of protein-protein interactions within the plasma membrane. Within this network, tetraspanin are thought to control the lateral segregation of their partners at the plasma membrane through mechanisms involving specific lipids. Here, we used a single molecule tracking approach to study the membrane behavior of tetraspanins in mammary epithelial cells and demonstrate that despite a common overall behavior, each tetraspanin (CD9, CD81 and CD82) has a specific signature in terms of dynamics. Furthermore, we demonstrated that tetraspanin dynamics on the cell surface are dependent on gangliosides. More specifically, we found that CD82 expression increases the dynamics of CD81 and alters its localization at the plasma membrane, this has no effect on the behavior of CD9. Our results provide new information on the ability of CD82 and gangliosides to differentially modulate the dynamics and organization of tetraspanins at the plasma membrane and highlight that its lipid and protein composition is involved in the dynamical architecture of the tetraspanin web. We predict that CD82 may act as a regulator of the lateral segregation of specific tetraspanins at the plasma membrane while gangliosides could play a crucial role in establishing tetraspanin-enriched areas.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Cells, Cultured; Epithelial Cells; Gangliosides; Humans; Kangai-1 Protein; Membrane Microdomains; Tetraspanin 28
PubMed: 34445169
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168459 -
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark) Apr 2015Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that transport different molecules between cells. They are formed and stored inside multivesicular bodies (MVB) until they are... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that transport different molecules between cells. They are formed and stored inside multivesicular bodies (MVB) until they are released to the extracellular environment. MVB fuse along the plasma membrane, driving non-polarized secretion of exosomes. However, polarized signaling potentially directs MVBs to a specific point in the plasma membrane to mediate a focal delivery of exosomes. MVB polarization occurs across a broad set of cellular situations, e.g. in immune and neuronal synapses, cell migration and in epithelial sheets. In this review, we summarize the current state of the art of polarized MVB docking and the specification of secretory sites at the plasma membrane. The current view is that MVB positioning and subsequent exosome delivery requires a polarizing, cytoskeletal dependent-trafficking mechanism. In this context, we propose scenarios in which biochemical and mechanical signals could drive the polarized delivery of exosomes in highly polarized cells, such as lymphocytes, neurons and epithelia.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Cell Polarity; Exosomes; Humans; Synapses
PubMed: 25614958
DOI: 10.1111/tra.12258 -
FEBS Letters Jul 2016Influenza A virus (IAV) assembles on the plasma membrane where viral proteins localize to form a bud encompassing the viral genome, which ultimately pinches off to give... (Review)
Review
Influenza A virus (IAV) assembles on the plasma membrane where viral proteins localize to form a bud encompassing the viral genome, which ultimately pinches off to give rise to newly formed infectious virions. Upon entry, the virus faces the opposite task-fusion with the endosomal membrane and disassembly to deliver the viral genome to the cytoplasm. There are at least four influenza proteins-hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix 1 protein (M1), and the M2 ion channel-that are known to directly interact with the cellular membrane and modify membrane curvature in order to both assemble and disassemble membrane-enveloped virions. Here, we summarize and discuss current knowledge of the interactions of lipids and membrane proteins involved in the IAV replication cycle.
Topics: Cell Membrane; Influenza A virus; Lipid Metabolism; Viral Proteins; Virus Internalization; Virus Replication
PubMed: 26921878
DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12118