Abstract
The bulk structure of biological membranes consists of a bilayer of amphipathic lipids. According to the fluid mosaic model proposed by Singer and Nicholson, the glycerophospholipid bilayer is a two-dimensional fluid construct that allows the lateral movement of membrane components. Different types of lateral interactions among membrane components can take place, giving rise to multiple levels of lateral order that lead to highly organized structures. Early observations suggested that some of the lipid components of biological membranes may play active roles in the creation of these levels of order. In the late 1980s, a diverse series of experimental findings collectively gave rise to the lipid raft hypothesis. Lipid rafts were originally defined as membrane domains, i.e., ordered structures created as a consequence of the lateral segregation of sphingolipids and differing from the surrounding membrane in their molecular composition and properties. This definition was subsequently modified to introduce the notion that lipid rafts correspond to membrane areas stabilized by the presence of cholesterol within a liquid-ordered phase. During the past two decades, the concept of lipid rafts has become extremely popular among cell biologists, and these structures have been suggested to be involved in a great variety of cellular functions and biological events. During the same period, however, some groups presented experimental evidence that appeared to contradict the basic tenets that underlie the lipid raft concept. The concept is currently being re-defined, with greater consistency regarding the true nature and role of lipid rafts. In this article we will review the concepts, criticisms, and the novel confirmatory findings relating to the lipid raft hypothesis.
Keywords: Detergent-resistant membrane, ganglioside, lipid raft, liquid-ordered phase, membrane domain, microdomain, sphingolipid, biological membranes, amphipathic lipids, mosaic model
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Membrane Domains and the “Lipid Raft” Concept
Volume: 20 Issue: 1
Author(s): S. Sonnino and A. Prinetti
Affiliation:
Keywords: Detergent-resistant membrane, ganglioside, lipid raft, liquid-ordered phase, membrane domain, microdomain, sphingolipid, biological membranes, amphipathic lipids, mosaic model
Abstract: The bulk structure of biological membranes consists of a bilayer of amphipathic lipids. According to the fluid mosaic model proposed by Singer and Nicholson, the glycerophospholipid bilayer is a two-dimensional fluid construct that allows the lateral movement of membrane components. Different types of lateral interactions among membrane components can take place, giving rise to multiple levels of lateral order that lead to highly organized structures. Early observations suggested that some of the lipid components of biological membranes may play active roles in the creation of these levels of order. In the late 1980s, a diverse series of experimental findings collectively gave rise to the lipid raft hypothesis. Lipid rafts were originally defined as membrane domains, i.e., ordered structures created as a consequence of the lateral segregation of sphingolipids and differing from the surrounding membrane in their molecular composition and properties. This definition was subsequently modified to introduce the notion that lipid rafts correspond to membrane areas stabilized by the presence of cholesterol within a liquid-ordered phase. During the past two decades, the concept of lipid rafts has become extremely popular among cell biologists, and these structures have been suggested to be involved in a great variety of cellular functions and biological events. During the same period, however, some groups presented experimental evidence that appeared to contradict the basic tenets that underlie the lipid raft concept. The concept is currently being re-defined, with greater consistency regarding the true nature and role of lipid rafts. In this article we will review the concepts, criticisms, and the novel confirmatory findings relating to the lipid raft hypothesis.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Sonnino S. and Prinetti A., Membrane Domains and the “Lipid Raft” Concept, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 20 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867311320010003
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867311320010003 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Neonatal Germ Cell Tumors
Current Pediatric Reviews Development of Decision Tree Models for Substrates, Inhibitors, and Inducers of P-Glycoprotein
Current Drug Metabolism Nanoparticle- and Liposome-carried Drugs: New Strategies for Active Targeting and Drug Delivery Across Blood-brain Barrier
Current Drug Metabolism Identification of Biomarkers and Functional Modules from Genomic Data in Stage-wise Breast Cancer
Current Bioinformatics Minocycline and Doxycycline: More Than Antibiotics
Current Molecular Pharmacology Nanoparticle Enabled Drug Delivery Across the Blood Brain Barrier: in vivo and in vitro Models, Opportunities and Challenges
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology An Overview of Bioactive Peptides for in vivo Imaging and Therapy in Human Diseases
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry High Order Texture-Based Analysis in Biomedical Images
Current Medical Imaging Translating Mismatch Repair Mechanism into Cancer Care
Current Drug Targets Tamoxifen as a Powerful Neuroprotectant in Experimental Stroke and Implications for Human Stroke Therapy
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) bHLH Transcription Factors Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: General Features for In Silico Drug Design
Current Medicinal Chemistry HSV Amplicon Vectors for Cancer Therapy
Current Gene Therapy Radioprotective Gene Therapy
Current Gene Therapy The NK-1 Receptor is Involved in the Antitumoural Action of L-733,060 and in the Mitogenic Action of Substance P on Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Discovery of Small Molecules that Target Autophagy for Cancer Treatment
Current Medicinal Chemistry Local Gene Delivery for Cancer Therapy
Current Gene Therapy Systems Biology of Apoptosis and Survival: Implications for Drug Development
Current Pharmaceutical Design Current Status of Clinical Trials for Glioblastoma
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Targeting the AKT Pathway in Glioblastoma
Current Pharmaceutical Design Withdrawal Notice: Circulatory Cells as Tumortropic Carrier for Targetability Improvement
Current Drug Delivery