There Is No Simple Model of the Plasma Membrane Organization

0463189 - ÚFCH JH 2017 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
de la Serna, J. B. - Schütz, G. - Eggeling, Ch. - Cebecauer, Marek
There Is No Simple Model of the Plasma Membrane Organization.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. Roč. 4, SEP 2016 (2016), s. 106. ISSN 2296-634X. E-ISSN 2296-634X
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA15-06989S
Institutional support: RVO:61388955
Keywords : plasma membrane * membrane organization models * heterogeneous distribution
OECD category: Cell biology

Ever since technologies enabled the characterization of eukaryotic plasma membranes, heterogeneities in the distributions of its constituents were observed. Over the years this led to the proposal of various models describing the plasma membrane organization such as lipid shells, picket-and-fences, lipid rafts, or protein islands, as addressed in numerous publications and reviews. Instead of emphasizing on one model we in this review give a brief overview over current models and highlight how current experimental work in one or the other way do not support the existence of a single overarching model. Instead, we highlight the vast variety of membrane properties and components, their influences and impacts. We believe that highlighting such controversial discoveries will stimulate unbiased research on plasma membrane organization and functionality, leading to a better understanding of this essential cellular structure.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0262437