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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 -
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 -
Current Opinion in Cell Biology Apr 2020The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms an extensive network of membrane contact sites with intra-cellular organelles and the plasma membrane (PM). Interorganelle contacts... (Review)
Review
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms an extensive network of membrane contact sites with intra-cellular organelles and the plasma membrane (PM). Interorganelle contacts have vital roles in membrane lipid and ion dynamics. In particular, ER-PM contacts are integral to numerous inter-cellular and intra-cellular signaling pathways including phosphoinositide lipid and calcium signaling, mechanotransduction, metabolic regulation, and cell stress responses. Accordingly, ER-PM contacts serve important signaling functions in excitable cells including neurons and muscle and endocrine cells. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the vital roles for ER-PM contacts in phosphoinositide and calcium signaling and how signaling pathways in turn regulate proteins that form and function at ER-PM contacts.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Calcium; Calcium Signaling; Cell Membrane; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Humans; Mechanotransduction, Cellular; Mitochondrial Membranes; Neurons; Phosphatidylinositols
PubMed: 32088611
DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.01.010 -
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 -
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 -
Plant Physiology Dec 2021Far from a homogeneous environment, biological membranes are highly structured with lipids and proteins segregating in domains of different sizes and dwell times. In... (Review)
Review
Far from a homogeneous environment, biological membranes are highly structured with lipids and proteins segregating in domains of different sizes and dwell times. In addition, membranes are highly dynamics especially in response to environmental stimuli. Understanding the impact of the nanoscale organization of membranes on cellular functions is an outstanding question. Plant channels and transporters are tightly regulated to ensure proper cell nutrition and signaling. Increasing evidence indicates that channel and transporter nano-organization within membranes plays an important role in these regulation mechanisms. Here, we review recent advances in the field of ion, water, but also hormone transport in plants, focusing on protein organization within plasma membrane nanodomains and its cellular and physiological impacts.
Topics: Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35235669
DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab312 -
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Jun 2021Phosphoinositides are an important class of anionic, low abundance signaling lipids distributed throughout intracellular membranes. The plasma membrane contains three... (Review)
Review
Phosphoinositides are an important class of anionic, low abundance signaling lipids distributed throughout intracellular membranes. The plasma membrane contains three phosphoinositides: PI(4)P, PI(4,5)P, and PI(3,4,5)P. Of these, PI(4)P has remained the most mysterious, despite its characterization in this membrane more than a half-century ago. Fortunately, recent methodological innovations at the chemistry-biology interface have spurred a renaissance of interest in PI(4)P. Here, we describe these new toolsets and how they have revealed novel functions for the plasma membrane PI(4)P pool. We examine high-resolution structural characterization of the plasma membrane PI 4-kinase complex that produces PI(4)P, tools for modulating PI(4)P levels including isoform-selective PI 4-kinase inhibitors, and fluorescent probes for visualizing PI(4)P. Collectively, these chemical and biochemical approaches have revealed insights into how cells regulate synthesis of PI(4)P and its downstream metabolites as well as new roles for plasma membrane PI(4)P in non-vesicular lipid transport, membrane homeostasis and trafficking, and cell signaling pathways.
Topics: 1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase; Cell Membrane; Humans; Molecular Structure; Phosphatidylinositol Phosphates
PubMed: 33965837
DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116190 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2023Water permeability is a key feature of the cell plasma membranes, and it has seminal importance for several cell functions such as cell volume regulation, cell...
Water permeability is a key feature of the cell plasma membranes, and it has seminal importance for several cell functions such as cell volume regulation, cell proliferation, cell migration, and angiogenesis to name a few. The transport of water occurs mainly through plasma membrane water channels, aquaporins. Aquaporins have very important function in physiological and pathophysiological states. Due to the above, the experimental assessment of the water permeability of cells and tissues is necessary. The development of new methodologies of measuring water permeability is a vibrant scientific field that constantly develops during the last three decades along with the advances in imaging mainly. In this chapter we describe and critically assess several methods that have been developed for the measurement of water permeability both in living cells and in tissues with a focus in the first category.
Topics: Water; Aquaporins; Cell Membrane; Permeability; Cell Membrane Permeability
PubMed: 36717506
DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7415-1_24 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2020Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P) is a minor but ubiquitous component of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. However, due to its... (Review)
Review
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P) is a minor but ubiquitous component of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. However, due to its particular complex biophysical properties, it stands out from its neighboring lipids as one of the most important regulators of membrane-associated signaling events. Despite its very low steady-state concentration, PI(4,5)P is able to engage in a multitude of simultaneous cellular functions that are temporally and spatially regulated through the presence of localized transient pools of PI(4,5)P in the membrane. These pools are crucial for the recruitment, activation, and organization of signaling proteins and consequent regulation of downstream signaling. The present review showcases some of the most important PI(4,5)P2 molecular and biophysical properties as well as their impact on its membrane dynamics, lateral organization, and interactions with other biochemical partners.
Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Humans; Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate; Second Messenger Systems
PubMed: 32858905
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25173885