Paper 12 Membrane Biophysics - PDF document

Paper 12: Membrane Biophysics Module 1: Components a nd Architecture o f Cell Membrane Learning objectives: In this module, prime focus is mainly on the plasma membrane, however, majority of the concepts discussed below are also applicable to the membranes of various cells organelles. Following are the learning objectives of this module. 1 . Introduction and importance of cell membrane 2 . Various components of cell membrane 3 . Structural features of membrane 4 . Functions of cell membrane 1 . INTRODUCTION A Membrane can be described as the boundary which define specific region from rest of the surrounding. It is not only gives a definite boundary but also control the composition of the enclosed space. In living systems each cell is covered by a 5 to 10 nm wide layer of pho spholipids and proteins, which encloses whole cell and protects cell cytoplasm from extracellular environment and this biological membrane is ‘cell - membrane’ or commonly known as the plasma membrane (see figure 1) . In addition to the plasma membrane, a euk aryotic cell contains various intracellular organelles like golgi apparatus, mitochondria etc. and these organelles are surrounded by their intracellular membranes . These membrane coverings maintain the characteristic differences between the cell cytoplasm and contents of each respective organelle. Another important property of cell membrane is its semi - permeable nature, through which selective transport and retention of cell nutrients takes place and toxic or unwanted substances cannot pass into the cell . Figure 1: General and ultra - structure cell membrane. Reference: Derivative work: Dhatfield ( talk ) ( Cell_membrane_detailed_diagram.svg ) creat ive commons 2 . BASIC COMPONENTS OF CELL MEMBRANE Three bio - molecules namely lipid, protein and carbohydrates are the main components of a plasma membrane. Their compositions and relative proportions in membranes may vary in different types of cell s (see tabl e no. 1) . The variation in proportion of each component is provided for the special re

quirements of the cell for example in general plasma membranes have approximately equal proportions of lipids and proteins (45 - 50%). Whereas, mitochondrial inner membrane contains approximately 75% proteins which are required in electron transport chain . Lipids are present ubiquitously in different forms like phospholipids, cholesterol etc . in cell membranes and constitute approximately 50% of the mass of most cell membra nes . Proteins may range from 20% to 70% of the total mass of a particular membrane. The percentage of carbohydrates in cell membrane is approximately 5 - 8 % and these are generally associated with either to lipid ( glycolipids ) of various classes, or with pro teins (as glycoproteins ) . A common feature of all biomembranes is the presence of a bilayer of phospholipids; however, there is the presence of several unique proteins in certain cellular membrane s for distinctive functions . Table 1: Percentage distribut ion of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates in different bio - membranes. S.N. Type membrane % Lipid % Protein % Carbohydrate 1 Human erythrocyte plasma membrane 43 49 8 2 Amoeba plasma membrane 42 54 4 3 Mitochondrial inner membrane 24 79 0 4 Myelin 79 1 8 3 2.2 LIPIDS: THE MAIN CONSTITUENTS OF CELL MEMBRANE The lipids components of membranes are further divided into glycerophospholipids , sphingolipids, glycolipids and sterol s . In general, glycerophospholipids and s phingolipids constitute the largest p ro portions of lipids in all biological membranes. 2 . 2 . 1 . Phospholipids With few exceptions, t he most abundant lipid components present in membranes are phospholipids . Phospholipids are basically composed of glycerol backbone at which two fatty acid chains and a phosphate group are attached (Figure 2) . F atty acids are attached to the first and second carbons, while the phosphate group is attached to the third carbon of the glycerol backbone. The fatty acyl side chains may be saturated or may contain one or m ore double bonds. Th

e phosphate group and glycerol backbone makes the head portion of phospholipid as hydrophil ic, whereas the fatty acid tails have a nature of hydrophobic ity . Th erefore, phospholipids are considered as amphipathic molecules with a polar h ea d and a hydrophobic tails (see figure 2) . Figure 2: Basic structure of a phospholipid. Source: Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/ ( Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported ) One more special characteristic of phospholipids make them a crucial molecu le in membranes. The phosphate group of a phospholipid can be attached to v ariable functional groups (R group) and give rise to different types of phospholipids . For example Phosphatidic acid has the hydrogen as R group. The naming of phospholipid is base d upon by naming the derivatives for the head - group alcohol (R, Figure 2) with “phosphatidyl - ” as a prefix. Phosphatidyl - choline, phosphatidyl - ethanolamine, and phosphatidyl - serine are other common membrane phospholipids having choline, ethanolamine and se rine respectively. Table 2 is showing different types of phospholipids which are formed on the basis of modification of R group in phosphate. Table 1: Phospholipids with different head groups. S.N. Name of R group Formula of R Phospholipid type 1 ─ ─H P hosphatidic acid 2 Ethanolamine ─CH 2 ─CH 2 ─N + H 3 Phosphytidyletahnolamine 3 C holine ─CH 2 ─CH 2 ─N + (C H 3 ) 3 Phosphtidylcholine 4 S erine Phosphtidylserine 5 Glycerol Phosphtidylglycerol 6 Myo - inositol 4,5, bisphosphate Phosphtidylinos itol 4,5, bisphosphate 7 Phosphtidylglycerol Cardiolipin Phosphatidylinositol (PI) are generally present on the cytoplasmic leaflet of membranes and get phosphorylated into PI phosphate (PIP), PI bisphosphate (PIP 2 ), and PI trisphosphate (PIP 3 ) . Th es e phospholipids are important for regulating cell growth, their proliferation, and apoptosis . In general, majority of phospholipids are neutral in nature (e.g. ph

osphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethalamine and spingomyelin). However, several phospholipids l ike phophatidylionositol and phosphotidylserine shows acidic nature with negative charge. When phospholipids are placed in an aqueous solution they will self assemble into micelles or bilayers, structures that exclude water molecules from the hydrophobic t ails while keeping the hydrophilic head in contact with the aqueous solution. The same phenomenon is observed in cell membrane where water content is present inside and outside of the cell and phospholipids are packed as bilayer confirmations. Moreover, th e cylindrical shape of phospholipids , allows phospholipids to align side - by - side to form broad sheets ( see Figure 3 ). Figure 3 . Orientation of phospholipids as bilayer in membrane 22.2 . Sphingolipids and Glycolipids Another class of phospholipid s found mainly in plasma membranes are sphingolipids which lack the basic glycerol backbone and have a sphingosine backbone fatty acid, and headgroup of a sphingolipid. In sphingolipids , the terminal hydroxyl group of sphingosine is esterified to phosphoc holine, so its hydrophilic head is similar to that of phosphatidylcholine (Figure 4) . Ceramide is the most basic sphingolipid which only a hydrogen in the Csp - 3 position and an amide - linked fatty acid (table 3) . Sphingomyelin is another most common sphingo lipid, widely present in myelin sheaths of neurons. Figure 4. General structure of a Spingo lipid Table 3 : Spingolipids with different head groups. S.N. Name of R group Formula of R Spingolipid type 1 ─ ─H Ceramide 2 P hosphocholine PO - 4 ─CH 2 ─CH 2 ─N + (CH 3 ) 3 Spingomyelin 3 Glucose Glucosylcerebroside 4 Di/tri/tetrasaccharide Lectosylceramide 5 Complex oligosaccharides Ganglioside GM2 Glycolipids are the sub - group of sphingolipids and generally present approximately 2% of the total lipid content of plasma membranes . T hese sugar containing lipids have a spingosine derived backbone and mon

o - or oligosaccharide bound to the Csn - 3 position . For exampl e, Glucosylcerebroside is a glycolipid, abundant in myelin sheaths and it consists of the ceramide and oleic acid linked to a single glucose residue (table 3). T hese are generally found at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and their carbohydrate moi eties are exposed on cell surface. 2 . 2.3. Sterols Another important class of membrane lipids is the Sterols and their derivatives. These sterols are present in the cell membrane for important hormones and signaling molecules. In general, a ll steroids co ntain four hydrocarbon rings ( A, B, C, and D ) , with the carbons numbered as shown figure 5a. Cholesterol is the major steroidal constituent of plasma membranes. It accounts for near - about 20% and 30 - 50% of the of total lipid content in animal cell and plan t cell, respectively. However, cholesterol is generally absent in prokaryotic membranes and mitochondrial membrane . C holesterol has the entire hydrocarbon structure, but also has a hydroxyl substituent on one ring which makes this molecule as amphipathic (see figure 5b). Cholesterol maintains the rigidity and stability of the membrane. A separate module is placed in the membrane chapter for the detailed study of the cholesterol, wh ere the properties and related functions of cholesterol will be given in detail. Figure 5 ( a ) : The structure of sterols and (b) structure of cholesterol. The major portion of the molecule is hydrophobic ( grey ), the hydroxyl group is present at 3 rd position. 2.3 MEMBRANE PROTEINS Proteins also contributed the major proportion (50% of total mass of membrane) in b iological membrane and these proteins participated in several biological activities like transport, enzymatic actio ns, communications etc . Structurally, membrane proteins may be present as single protein or as multimeric protein s ubunits. They may also get conjugat ed with carbohydrates and lipids and present in the form of glycoprotein and lipoprotein , respectively . Li pid moiety

of a lipoprotein may have direct interaction with the lipid bilayer or through integral membrane proteins. 2.3.1. Classification of Membrane Proteins 2.3.1.1 Location based classification One the classification of membrane proteins is on the b asis of their location in membrane. Membrane p roteins are categorized as integral membrane proteins and peripheral membrane proteins . Integral membrane proteins : T he proteins which are present in between the phospholipid bilayer or its major part penetrat e or span the bilayer are termed as Integral membrane proteins or trans - membrane proteins (see figure 1) . The membrane - spanning portions of transmembrane proteins are usually composed of hydrophobic amino acids which make α - helical secondary confirmations except porins (pore forming proteins in bacteria). In porins beta - sheets structures are predominant. In general, these proteins are tightly bound to the membrane through hydrophobic interactions and their terminal portions may exposed on one or both sides of the membrane. Peripheral membrane proteins : The proteins present outside the membrane are considered as peripheral membrane proteins . These proteins do not interact with the hydrophobic core of the bilayer and are loos ely associated with the membrane through non - covalent interactions ( generally ionic bonds with the polar head groups of the phospho lipids ) . Therefore, it is easier to isolate p eripheral membrane proteins and can be done by using the solutions of high ionic strength / salt concentration on membrane . 2.3.1. 2 Function based classification P roteins present in membrane are responsible for the vital functions of cell and therefore these proteins may also be differentiated on the basis of their following functions . a ) Transport or Channel Proteins : Gase ous molecules e.g. O 2 and CO 2 and s mall hydrophobic molecules can pass through lipid bilayer , but , water and other hydrophilic nutrients generally can’t pass through lipid bilayer or at a very slow pace . The moveme

nt of the hydrophilic molecules is done by the transport proteins which are generally embedded in the membrane. These transport proteins shows specific ity for select ion of the molecules t o be transported. In several occasions , these proteins transport nutrients against the ir concentration gradient and energy of ATP is utilized to catalyze passage . The ability to maintain concentration gradients and sometimes move materials against them is vital to cell health and maintenance. Thanks to membrane barriers and trans port proteins, the cell can accumulate nutrients in higher concentrations than exist in the environment and, conversely, dispose of waste products . b ) Carrier Proteins : These proteins are generally present i n side membrane with some part surface exposed and binding site on protein surface "grabs" certain molecules and pulls them into the cell e.g. gated channels . c ) Receptor Proteins : T he cell membrane also contains some specific proteins which act as sensors (or molecular triggers) for external signals and all ow the cell to produce response due to change in external environment of cell. T hese protein sensors are also termed as cell protein receptors . Their main function is to transfer information rather than transport of molecules or ions across the membrane e. g. release of hormones due to receptor proteins. d ) Cell Recognition Proteins : Several proteins are present as glycoproteins, where attached carbohydrates are localized on the outer exo - plasmic membrane face of eukaryotic cells. These proteins act as ID tags for identification of specific cells by the immune system of body . e ) Enzymatic Proteins : Several proteins present on the membrane surface shows enzymatic activities and carry out metabolic reactions . 3 . STRUCTURE OF CELL MEMBRANE Cell membranes have a common sheet like structure consisting mainly of lipids and proteins in the ratio of 1:4 to 4:1. The proteins and lipids are held together by non - covalent interactions. Membranes also contain car

bohydrate linked to lipids and proteins. Cell membranes are fluid st ructure, asymmetric and dynamic in nature. The lipid molecules are arranged as continuous double layer. The membrane lipids are amphipathic molecule having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moiety. The hydrophilic heads are oriented towards the aqueous solv ent while the long non - polar hydrocarbon chains are sequestered in the interior of the membrane. This lipid bilayer provides the fluidity to the membrane and acts as barrier to the flow of polar molecules. The lipid molecules can diffuse rapidly in the pla ne of the membrane whereas the flip flop movement i.e. movement across the membrane occurs rarely. The protein molecules span the lipid bilayer and are free to diffuse laterally but not across the membrane. They serve as channels, pumps, receptors, enzyme s mediating the various biological function of the membrane. Some proteins are found embedded in the lipid bilayer enabling cell to interact with its surrounding. 3.1 The Fluid - Mosaic Model The fluid - mosaic model for the biological membranes was proposed b y S. Jonathan Singer and Garth L. Nicolson in 1972. The model states that the cell membrane exist as fluid mosaic, two dimensional in nature of freely diffusing lipids with embedded proteins. The major features of the model are as follows:  The phospholipid s and glycolipids molecules are arranged as bilayer regarded as two dimensional solutions, dynami c in nature. The polar heads are oriented towards the aqueous environment while the long hydrocarbon chains face outwards. The lipid bilayer acts as a permeabi lity barrier and as a solvent for the membrane proteins.  Membrane lipids interact specifically with specific protein which is essential for their function.  For the membrane to exist as fluid structure the right ratio of the saturated to unsaturated fatty a cids is important. The lipid molecules show free lateral diffusion whereas the flip flop movement i.e. transverse movement occurs once in several hours. The flip - flop requires the polar head group to pass through the hydrocarbon core

of the bilayer thus th e process is extremely rare.  The proteins molecules show lateral diffusion but no transverse movement. However the enzymes that facilitate the flip - flop process are referred to as flipases. Figure 6: A diagrammatic representation of fluid - mosaic model fo r the biological membranes. Reference: http://www.biologydiscussion.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/12/clip_ima ge006_thumb51.jpg Creative Commons License. Biology Discussion.com 4 . F UNCTIONS OF THE PLASMA MEMBRANE 4.1 Compartmentalization: one of the important and crucial functions of the plasma membrane is to form a physical barrier between the cytoplasm and the external surroundings. This enables the smooth function ing of the various activities going inside the cell without the interference of the external environment. They provide the strength and scaffold to the cell for regulating biological activities. This also holds true for the membrane enclosing the intracell ular organelles that is to create a niche for the proper functioning of the diverse organelles which exist as isolated entities in the cell. 4.2 Selective permeability of the membrane: the plasma membrane is semi - permeable and thus allows the passage of se lective molecules, but not others across the membrane. 4.3 Transportation: The plasma membrane allows exchange of ions and molecules across the membrane to maintain proper ionic composition and osmotic pressure of the cytosol. Transporting nutrients into t he cell and other metabolic wastes out of the cell help in proper functioning of the cell. Two transport mechanisms exist for transportation of the molecules across the membrane passive and active transport system. In passive transport the membrane allows the movement of substances from one side of the membrane to another generally by diffusion, facilitated diffusion and filtration wherein no energy is required and is based on the difference of concentration between the two areas (i.e. down the concentratio n gradient). The water molecules travel across the membrane by osmosis. Whereas active transport is energy driven process which

uses energy release by ATP hydrolysis and allows the passage of substances against the concentration gradient. The membrane also maintains the electrochemical gradient. The plasma membrane also contains specific transport proteins that allow the passage of selective small molecules. 4.4 Signal transduction: Membranes possess specific receptors that combine with specific signalling molecules (like hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters) and other external stimuli leading to various cellular responses which are critical for cell development and functioning of the cell. And this is how a cell response to its external environment. 4.5 Interaction with other cells: the plasma membrane of multicellular organisms mediates the communication with the neighbouring cells and allows the exchange of metabolites and information. 4. 6 Metabolic activities: plasma membrane includes certain prote ins and enzymes that are involved in some of the metabolic processes in the cell. 5 . SUMMARY  A Membrane can be described as the boundary which define specific region from rest of the surrounding. It is not only gives a definite boundary but also control the composition of the enclosed space.  Biological membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, cholesterol and carbohydrates and forms phospholipid bilayer .  In a phospholipid bilayer, the long fatty acyl side chains forms hydrophobic core and polar phosphates makes hydrophilic head. The refore, a ll cellular membranes line closed compartments and have a cytosolic and an exoplasmic face .  P resence of specific integral and peripheral membrane proteins is required to carry out distinctive functions.  Membrane p roteins are required for nutrient tran s port , waste elimination , and maintain the proper intracellular ionic composition. These proteins also required for cell to cell communication , critical for proper functioning of multi - cellular tissues.  According to the fluid mosaic model, the membrane is viewed as a two - dimensional mosaic of phospholipid and protein m