About the Book
"Molecular Organization and Function of Cellular Membranes" brings together and explores a wide range of conceptual models and methodological approaches in membrane organization research. In addition to covering basic information on lipids, membrane proteins, and their interplay, the book also explains physical concepts of membrane organization such as phase separation, lateral profiles, and criticality in terms clearly understandable to a general audience with a biology background.
Chapters highligh recent technological advancements in fluorescence imaging, mass spectrometry and micro-patterning which offer new insights and opportunities for future research, and the book concludes with a discussion of the functional implications of lateral membrane organization in various important biological processes such as cell polarization, signal transduction or cell-cell communication.
Focused on conceptual advances and the value of mathematical models in furthering our understanding of cellular organization, "Molecular Organization and Function of Cellular Membranes" will be a useful resource for researchers in cell biology, biophysics and biochemistry.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The need for an overview. Recent advances in the study of membrane organization. Reaching a consensus?
Part I: Physical properties of lipid bilayers and components of biological membranes
Chapter 1: A short introduction in the physics of membranes.
Explanation of fundamental concepts and terms in membrane biophysics: phase, phase transition, phase separation, criticality, pressure profile, hydrophobic effect, correlation length.
Introduction of biophysical methods and model membrane systems (liposomes, planar bilayer, GUVs, AFM, spectroscopy,
Chapter 2: Lipid phase space
Description and discussion of the various phases that lipids can adopt (bilayer, micelle, cubic, hexagonal) and their properties.
The role of curvature in lipid organization
Chapter 3: The Lipid inventory - diversity as a principle
Structure and basic properties of lipids as amphipathic molecules
Introduction of the different lipid classes (phospholipids, cholesterol, sphingolipids)
Lipid composition of various biological membranes - advances in Lipid mass spectrometry
Chapter 4: Lipid biosynthesis pathways
Lipid metabolism in prokaryotes
Lipid metabolism in eukaryotes
Consequences of perturbations, possibilities to tinker with toolbox
Chapter 5: Membrane proteins
Classes of membrane proteins: integral/peripheral, transmembrane regions (alpha helical, beta barrel), lipid anchors,
Biosynthesis of membrane proteins, sugar modifications, permanent and transient association
Role of lipids in correct folding and assembly of membrane proteins
Chapter 6: Targeting of components to membranes
Secretory pathway, signal peptides, SRP
Recycling of components: endocytosis, reversible lipid anchors, GDIs
Lipid carriers, trans-bilayer lipid asymmetry, flippases
Part II: Protein - lipid interactions and models for lateral organization of biological membranes
Chapter 7: The different levels of protein-lipid interaction.
Structural lipids, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions
The molecular vs. soft matter perspective
Chapter 8: A short history of models for lateral membrane organization.
The "Cell" concept, early models, fluid-mosaic model, modifications
Chapter 9: Lateral organization through hydrophobic mismatch and related theories
Hydrophobic, mismatch, large distance interactions, the role of diffusion and weak interactions.
Chapter 10: The raft hypothesis - controversy and consensus
Discussion of methods used to identify rafts with strengths and weaknesses
Link of raft formation to biological processes (transport, polarity, migration, immunological synapse, diseases)
Current consensus definition with wider interpretation of raft concept
Chapter 11: Protein-protein interaction, of networks and junctions
Sorting nexins, caveolae, eisosomes, tetraspanins, cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions
Chapter 12: Membrane associated actin fences
Picket fence model, diffusion measurements, anomalous diffusion, advance in fluoresence imaging: FRAP, FCS
Actin cortex: terminal web, protrusion and curvature
Chapter 13: An integrated model, the patchwork membrane
Identification of >2 domains in several systems
Emerging model of a self-organized, multi-domain patchwork membrane
Part III: Biological implications of membrane organization
Chapter 14: Membrane organization and the immunological synapse.
Role of cholesterol and actin in formation of a junction between B- and T-cell.
Chapter 15: The principles of cell polarization.
Dynamic formation of polarized membrane domains through recycling of regulatory proteins. The role of transient membrane attachment. Small GTPases the GTPase cycle and GDIs. Mathematical models of cell polarity.
Chapter 16: Membrane organization and membrane transport.
Role of proteins in deformation of membranes, BAR/iBAR domains.
Endocytic patches, clathrin pits, caveolae.
Lipid composition in the secretory and endocytic pathway and its role in sorting.
Membrane composition and curvature in fusion and fission of membranes.
Chapter 17: Membrane domains and signal transduction.
Role of transient clustering for signaling.
Membrane domains involved in calcium signaling.
A general role of actin in signaling at the PM of animal cells.
Chapter 18: Membrane organization and cell junctions.
Tight junctions, gap junctions, adherence junctions. Diffusion barrier (also septins).
Chapter 19: Membrane organization and membrane permeability.
Role of lipids in transporter/channel function.
Role of lipids in assembly of multi-subunit complexes.
Segregation in many domains: the importance of the micro environment.
Summary
Integrating fields. The era of quantitative biology. Synergies between physics and biology. Open questions and future directions. Summary of concepts and conclusions
