Membrane fluidity: Difference between revisions
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In biology, '''membrane fluidity''' refers to the [[viscosity]] of the [[lipid bilayer]] of a [[cell membrane]] or a synthetic lipid membrane. Lipid packing can influence the fluidity of the membrane. Viscosity of the membrane can affect the rotation and [[diffusion]] of proteins and other bio-molecules within the membrane, thereby affecting the functions of these molecules.<ref name=":1" /> |
In biology, '''membrane fluidity''' refers to the [[viscosity]] of the [[lipid bilayer]] of a [[cell membrane]] or a [[Model lipid bilayer|synthetic lipid membrane]]. Lipid packing can influence the fluidity of the membrane. Viscosity of the membrane can affect the rotation and [[diffusion]] of proteins and other bio-molecules within the membrane, thereby affecting the functions of these molecules.<ref name=":1" /> |
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==Factors determining membrane fluidity== |
==Factors determining membrane fluidity== |
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Membrane fluidity can be affected by a number of factors.<ref name=":1" /> One way to increase membrane fluidity is to heat up the membrane. Lipids acquire thermal energy when they are heated up; energetic lipids move around more, arranging and rearranging randomly, making the membrane more fluid. At low temperatures, the lipids are laterally ordered and organized in the membrane, and the lipid chains are mostly in the all-trans configuration and packs well together. The composition of a membrane can also affect its fluidity. The membrane [[phospholipid]]s incorporate [[fatty acid]]s of varying length and [[Saturation (chemistry)|saturation]]. Lipids with shorter-chain and ones with more double bonds are less stiff and less viscous. On the molecular level, these double bonds make it harder for the lipids to pack together. Membranes made with such lipids have lower [[melting points]]: less thermal energy is required to achieve the same level of fluidity as membranes made with lipids with saturated chains.<ref name=":1" /> Incorporation of particular lipids, such as cholesterol and sphingomyelin, into synthetic lipid membranes is known to stiffen a membrane. Such membranes can be described as "a glass state, i.e., rigid but without crystalline order".<ref name=":0">T. Heimburg. Thermal Biophysics of Membranes. Wiley-VCH, 2007.</ref> Some drugs, e.g. Losartan©, are also known to alter membrane viscosity.<ref name=":0" /> Another way to change membrane fluidity is to change the pressure.<ref name=":1" /> In the laboratory, supported lipid bilayers and monolayers can be made artificially. In such cases, one can still speak of membrane fluidity. These membranes are supported by a flat surface, e.g. the bottom of a box. The fluidity of these membranes can be controlled by the lateral pressure applied, e.g. by the side walls of a box. |
Membrane fluidity can be affected by a number of factors.<ref name=":1" /> One way to increase membrane fluidity is to heat up the membrane. Lipids acquire thermal energy when they are heated up; energetic lipids move around more, arranging and rearranging randomly, making the membrane more fluid. At low temperatures, the lipids are laterally ordered and organized in the membrane, and the lipid chains are mostly in the all-trans configuration and packs well together. The composition of a membrane can also affect its fluidity. The membrane [[phospholipid]]s incorporate [[fatty acid]]s of varying length and [[Saturation (chemistry)|saturation]]. Lipids with shorter-chain and ones with more double bonds are less stiff and less viscous. On the molecular level, these double bonds make it harder for the lipids to pack together. Membranes made with such lipids have lower [[melting points]]: less thermal energy is required to achieve the same level of fluidity as membranes made with lipids with saturated chains.<ref name=":1" /> Incorporation of particular lipids, such as [[cholesterol]] and [[sphingomyelin]], into synthetic lipid membranes is known to stiffen a membrane. Such membranes can be described as "a glass state, i.e., rigid but without crystalline order".<ref name=":0">T. Heimburg. Thermal Biophysics of Membranes. Wiley-VCH, 2007.</ref> Some drugs, e.g. [[Losartan]]©, are also known to alter membrane viscosity.<ref name=":0" /> Another way to change membrane fluidity is to change the pressure.<ref name=":1" /> In the laboratory, supported lipid bilayers and monolayers can be made artificially. In such cases, one can still speak of membrane fluidity. These membranes are supported by a flat surface, e.g. the bottom of a box. The fluidity of these membranes can be controlled by the lateral pressure applied, e.g. by the side walls of a box. |
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==Heterogeneity in membrane physical property== |
==Heterogeneity in membrane physical property== |
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==Measurement methods== |
==Measurement methods== |
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Membrane fluidity can be measured with [[electron spin resonance]] (ESR), fluorescence, or deuterium [[nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy]] (NMR). ESR measurements involve observing [[Spin label|spin probe]] behaviour in the membrane. Fluorescence experiments involve observing fluorescent probes incorporated into the membrane. [[Solid-state physics| Solid state]] deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy involves observing deuterated lipids.<ref name=":1" /> The techniques are complementary in that they operate on different timescales. |
Membrane fluidity can be measured with [[electron spin resonance]] (ESR), [[fluorescence]], or deuterium [[nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy]] (NMR). ESR measurements involve observing [[Spin label|spin probe]] behaviour in the membrane. Fluorescence experiments involve observing fluorescent probes incorporated into the membrane. [[Solid-state physics| Solid state]] deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy involves observing deuterated lipids.<ref name=":1" /> The techniques are complementary in that they operate on different timescales. |
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Membrane fluidity can be described by two different types of motion:rotational and lateral. In ESR, [[rotational correlation time]] of spin probes is used to characterize how much restriction is imposed on the probe by the membrane. In fluorescence, steady-state [[Fluorescence anisotropy|anisotropy]] of the probe can be used, in addition to the rotation correlation time of the fluorescent probe.<ref name=":1" /> Fluorescent probes show varying degree of preference for being in an environment of restricted motion. In heterogeneous membranes, some probes will only be found in regions of higher membrane fluidity, while others are only found in regions of lower membrane fluidity.<ref>Baumgart, T., G. Hunt, E.R. Farkas, W.W. Webb, and G.W. Feigenson. 2007. Fluorescence probe partitioning between Lo/Ld phases in lipid membranes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1768: 2182–94.</ref> Partitioning preference of probes can also be a gauge of membrane fluidity. In deuterium NMR, the average carbon-deuterium bond orientation of the deuterated lipid gives rise to specific spectroscopic features. All three of techniques can give some measure of the time-averaged orientation of the relevant (probe) molecule, which is indicative of the rotational dynamics of the molecule.<ref name=":1" /> |
Membrane fluidity can be described by two different types of motion:rotational and lateral. In ESR, [[rotational correlation time]] of spin probes is used to characterize how much restriction is imposed on the probe by the membrane. In fluorescence, steady-state [[Fluorescence anisotropy|anisotropy]] of the probe can be used, in addition to the rotation correlation time of the fluorescent probe.<ref name=":1" /> Fluorescent probes show varying degree of preference for being in an environment of restricted motion. In heterogeneous membranes, some probes will only be found in regions of higher membrane fluidity, while others are only found in regions of lower membrane fluidity.<ref>Baumgart, T., G. Hunt, E.R. Farkas, W.W. Webb, and G.W. Feigenson. 2007. Fluorescence probe partitioning between Lo/Ld phases in lipid membranes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1768: 2182–94.</ref> Partitioning preference of probes can also be a gauge of membrane fluidity. In deuterium NMR, the average carbon-deuterium bond orientation of the deuterated lipid gives rise to specific spectroscopic features. All three of techniques can give some measure of the time-averaged orientation of the relevant (probe) molecule, which is indicative of the rotational dynamics of the molecule.<ref name=":1" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Lipid bilayer phase behavior]] |
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[[Homeoviscous adaptation]] |
[[Homeoviscous adaptation]] |
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Revision as of 20:03, 15 July 2013
In biology, membrane fluidity refers to the viscosity of the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane or a synthetic lipid membrane. Lipid packing can influence the fluidity of the membrane. Viscosity of the membrane can affect the rotation and diffusion of proteins and other bio-molecules within the membrane, thereby affecting the functions of these molecules.[1]
Factors determining membrane fluidity
Membrane fluidity can be affected by a number of factors.[1] One way to increase membrane fluidity is to heat up the membrane. Lipids acquire thermal energy when they are heated up; energetic lipids move around more, arranging and rearranging randomly, making the membrane more fluid. At low temperatures, the lipids are laterally ordered and organized in the membrane, and the lipid chains are mostly in the all-trans configuration and packs well together. The composition of a membrane can also affect its fluidity. The membrane phospholipids incorporate fatty acids of varying length and saturation. Lipids with shorter-chain and ones with more double bonds are less stiff and less viscous. On the molecular level, these double bonds make it harder for the lipids to pack together. Membranes made with such lipids have lower melting points: less thermal energy is required to achieve the same level of fluidity as membranes made with lipids with saturated chains.[1] Incorporation of particular lipids, such as cholesterol and sphingomyelin, into synthetic lipid membranes is known to stiffen a membrane. Such membranes can be described as "a glass state, i.e., rigid but without crystalline order".[2] Some drugs, e.g. Losartan©, are also known to alter membrane viscosity.[2] Another way to change membrane fluidity is to change the pressure.[1] In the laboratory, supported lipid bilayers and monolayers can be made artificially. In such cases, one can still speak of membrane fluidity. These membranes are supported by a flat surface, e.g. the bottom of a box. The fluidity of these membranes can be controlled by the lateral pressure applied, e.g. by the side walls of a box.
Heterogeneity in membrane physical property
Discrete lipid domains with differing composition, and thus membrane fluidity, can coexist in model lipid membranes; this can be observed using fluorescence microscopy.[2] The biological analogue, 'lipid raft', is hypothesized to exist in cell membranes and perform biological functions.[3]
Measurement methods
Membrane fluidity can be measured with electron spin resonance (ESR), fluorescence, or deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). ESR measurements involve observing spin probe behaviour in the membrane. Fluorescence experiments involve observing fluorescent probes incorporated into the membrane. Solid state deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy involves observing deuterated lipids.[1] The techniques are complementary in that they operate on different timescales.
Membrane fluidity can be described by two different types of motion:rotational and lateral. In ESR, rotational correlation time of spin probes is used to characterize how much restriction is imposed on the probe by the membrane. In fluorescence, steady-state anisotropy of the probe can be used, in addition to the rotation correlation time of the fluorescent probe.[1] Fluorescent probes show varying degree of preference for being in an environment of restricted motion. In heterogeneous membranes, some probes will only be found in regions of higher membrane fluidity, while others are only found in regions of lower membrane fluidity.[4] Partitioning preference of probes can also be a gauge of membrane fluidity. In deuterium NMR, the average carbon-deuterium bond orientation of the deuterated lipid gives rise to specific spectroscopic features. All three of techniques can give some measure of the time-averaged orientation of the relevant (probe) molecule, which is indicative of the rotational dynamics of the molecule.[1]
Lateral motion of molecules within the membrane can be measured by a number of fluorescence techniques: Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) involves photobleaching a uniformly labelled membrane with an intense laser beam and measuring how long it takes for fluorescent probes to diffuse back into the photobleached spot.[1] Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) monitors the fluctuations in fluorescence intensity measured from a small number of probes in a small space. These fluctuations are affected by the mode of lateral diffusion of the probe. Single particle tracking involves following the trajectory of fluorescent molecules or gold particles attached to a biomolecule and applying statistical analysis to extract information about the lateral diffusion of the tracked particle.[5]
Diffusion coefficients
Diffusion coefficients of fluorescent lipid analogues are about 10-8cm2/sec in fluid lipid membranes. In gel lipid membranes and natural biomembranes, the diffusion coefficients are about 10-11cm2/sec to 10-9cm2/sec.[1]
Charged lipid membranes
The melting of charged lipid membranes, such as 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DMPG), can take place over a wide range of temperature. Within this range of temperatures, these membranes become very viscous.[2]
Biological relevance
Microorganisms subjected to thermal stress are known to alter the lipid composition of their cell membrane (see homeoviscous adaptation). This is one way they can adjust the fluidity of their membrane in response to their environment.[1] Membrane fluidity is known to affect the function of biomolecules residing within or associated with the membrane structure. For example,the binding of some peripheral proteins is dependent on membrane fluidity.[6] Lateral diffusion (within the membrane matrix) of membrane-related enzymes can affect reaction rates.[1] Consequently, membrane-dependent functions, such as phagocytosis and cell signalling, can be regulated by the fluidity of the cell-membrane.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k R. B. Gennis. Biomembranes: Molecular Structure and Function. Springer-Verlag (1989).
- ^ a b c d T. Heimburg. Thermal Biophysics of Membranes. Wiley-VCH, 2007.
- ^ Simons K, Vaz WL (2004). "Model systems, lipid rafts, and cell membranes". Annual review of biophysics and biomolecular structure. 33: 269–95. doi:10.1146/annurev.biophys.32.110601.141803. PMID 15139814.
- ^ Baumgart, T., G. Hunt, E.R. Farkas, W.W. Webb, and G.W. Feigenson. 2007. Fluorescence probe partitioning between Lo/Ld phases in lipid membranes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1768: 2182–94.
- ^ Almeida, P., and W. Vaz. 1995. Lateral diffusion in membranes. In: Lipowsky R, E Sackmann, editors. Handbook of biological physics. Elsevier Science B.V. pp. 305–357.
- ^ T. Heimburg and D. Marsh. Thermodynamics of the Interaction of Proteins with Lipid Membranes. Biological Membranes, K. Merz, Jr. and B. Roux, ed. Birhauser, Boston (1996).
- ^ Helmreich EJ (2003). "Environmental influences onsignal transduction through membranes: a retrospective mini-review". Biophysicalchemistry 100 (1-3): 519–34.