Molecular Interplay at the Membrane and Impact on Cellular Physiology

Abstract

The cell surface is the playground for rich biological phenomena. These emerge from short-range interactions resulting in the nanoscale organization of membrane proteins and lipids, the conformational dynamics of membrane proteins and their interactions with lipids as well as topological changes in membrane form and structure. Such phenomena cooperate to manifest into important cellular phenomena such as cell adhesion, signal transduction, secretory and endocytic trafficking, and cytoskeletal dynamics. In fact, differences in membrane composition and organization can lead to diseased conditions, even cell death. Lipid membranes are also considered as early signatures of life as they demarcate living matter into cells. Consequently, an understanding of membrane processes requires an appreciation of the membrane from a ‘living matter’ perspective that signals within, into, and out of the cell.