Cell And Model Membrane Interactions

Membrane interaction is a large research area involving various disciplines. A symposium entitled "Cell and Model Membrane Interactions" which took place in Boston, MA during the 155th American Chemical Society Meeting, April 25, 1990, focused on membrane adhesion and fusion. The topics were explored in studies involving lipids, virus envelopes and cell membranes. Especially discussed, were the roles of polymers, lipids, and proteins on these membrane interactions. Fusion of membrane is an important molecular event which plays a pivotal role in many dynamic cellular processes, such as exocytosis, endocytosis, membrane genesis, viral infection processes, etc. The process includes adhesion of the mem branes, fusion, and finally reorganization of the components of the two membranes. The basic notion shared during the symposium was that membrane hydro phobicity, especially local membrane hydrophobicity is one of the important factors contributing to membrane fusion. Most of the papers are collected here and they are arranged approximately in the same order as they were presented at the sympo sium. These papers are the most up-to-date and representative work at the forefront in each membrane interaction field. I sincerely hope the reader will gain further understanding on membrane interactions especially, membrane and vesicle fusion phenomena through this symposium proceedings volume.

In 17 contributions by leading research groups, this first comprehensive handbook in the field covers the interactions between proteins and lipids that make the fabric of biological membranes from every angle. It examines the relevant hermodynamic and structural issues from a basic science perspective, and goes on to discuss biochemical and cell biological processes. The book covers physical principles as well as mechanisms of membrane fusion and fission. Additionally, chapters on bilayer structure and protein-lipid interactions as well as on how proteins shape lipids and vice versa, membrane penetration by toxins, protein sorting, and allosteric regulation of signal transduction across membranes make this a valuable information source for researchers in academia and industry.

Barrier, reservoir, target site - those are but some of the possible functions of biological lipid membranes in the complex interplay of drugs with the organism. A detailed knowledge of lipid membranes and of the various modes of drug-membrane interaction is therefore the prerequisite for a better understanding of drug action. Many of today's pharmaceuticals are amphiphilic or catamphiphilic, enabling them to interact with biological membranes. Crucial membrane properties are surveyed and techniques to elucidate drug-membrane interactions presented, including computer-aided predictions. Effects of membrane interaction on drug action and drug distribution are discussed, and numerous examples are given. This unique reference volume builds on the authors' long experience in the study of drug-membrane interaction. Recommended reading for everyone involved in pharmaceutical research.

Describes the properties of cellular membranes and their relationship with fundamental biological processes. This book provides insight on the chemistry, structures, model systems, and techniques employed for studying membrane properties and processes. A major focus is on the prominence of membranes in diverse physiological processes and disease, as well as applications of membranes and biomimetic membrane systems in varied disciplines. The book aims to illuminate the significance and beauty of membrane science, and serve both as an entry point for scholars wishing to embark on membrane research, as well as scientists already working in the field.

The first volume of the Handbook deals with the amazing world of biomembranes and lipid bilayers. Part A describes all aspects related to the morphology of these membranes, beginning with the complex architecture of biomembranes, continues with a description of the bizarre morphology of lipid bilayers and concludes with technological applications of these membranes. The first two chapters deal with biomembranes, providing an introduction to the membranes of eucaryotes and a description of the evolution of membranes. The following chapters are concerned with different aspects of lipids including the physical properties of model membranes composed of lipid-protein mixtures, lateralphase separation of lipids and proteins and measurement of lipid-protein bilayer diffusion. Other chapters deal with the flexibility of fluid bilayers, the closure of bilayers into vesicles which attain a large variety of different shapes, and applications of lipid vesicles and liposomes. Part B covers membrane adhesion, membrane fusion and the interaction of biomembranes withpolymer networks such as the cytoskeleton. The first two chapters of this part discuss the generic interactions of membranes from the conceptual point of view. The following two chapters summarize the experimental work on two different bilayer systems. The next chapter deals with the process ofcontact formation, focal bounding and macroscopic contacts between cells. The cytoskeleton within eucaryotic cells consists of a network of relatively stiff filaments of which three different types of filaments have been identified. As explained in the next chapter much has been recently learned aboutthe interaction of these filaments with the cell membrane. The final two chapters deal with membrane fusion.

This book has been conceives as a brief introduction to biomembranes physical chemistry for undergraduate students of sciences, and it is particularly dedicated to the lipid-protein membrane interactions. A general introduction is presented in Chapters 1 and 2. The following Chapters, 3 and 4, describe the most accepted theories on lipid-membrane protein interactions as well as the new experimental approaches, in particular, these arose from nano sciences as atomic for microscopy and single molecule force spectroscopy. The book emphasizes the relevance of physical parameters as the lateral surface pressure and the lipid curvature as actors for understanding the physicochemical properties of the biomembranes.

This volume will address several related aspects of peptide interactions with membranes. It will consider model theoretical and experimental systems with relevance to fundamental questions in cell biology, including how peptides and proteins behave within biological membranes.