Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Biophysics, Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB), NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz 8010, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria; Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Apr;49(4):333-345. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.007. Epub 2024 Feb 13.
Plasma membranes utilize free energy to maintain highly asymmetric, non-equilibrium distributions of lipids and proteins between their two leaflets. In this review we discuss recent progress in quantitative research enabled by using compositionally controlled asymmetric model membranes. Both experimental and computational studies have shed light on the nuanced mechanisms that govern the structural and dynamic coupling between compositionally distinct bilayer leaflets. This coupling can increase the membrane bending rigidity and induce order - or lipid domains - across the membrane. Furthermore, emerging evidence indicates that integral membrane proteins not only respond to asymmetric lipid distributions but also exhibit intriguing asymmetric properties themselves. We propose strategies to advance experimental research, aiming for a deeper, quantitative understanding of membrane asymmetry, which carries profound implications for cellular physiology.
质膜利用自由能在其双层的两个叶层之间维持脂质和蛋白质高度不对称、非平衡的分布。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了使用组成控制的不对称模型膜实现的定量研究的最新进展。实验和计算研究都揭示了控制组成不同的双层叶层之间结构和动态偶联的微妙机制。这种偶联可以增加膜的弯曲刚性，并在膜中诱导有序 - 或脂质域。此外，新出现的证据表明，整合膜蛋白不仅对不对称的脂质分布有反应，而且本身也表现出有趣的不对称特性。我们提出了推进实验研究的策略，旨在更深入、更定量地理解膜不对称性，这对细胞生理学具有深远的意义。
