Lijauco, Cylo Christan D.L.

| PLM MED 2024B | Physiology | Berne and Levy

CHAPTER 1: PRINCIPLES OF CELL AND MEMBRANE FUNCTION o Function in segregating signaling molecules

Membrane Proteins

I. OVERVIEW OF EUKARYOTIC CELLS  Integral membrane protein – embedded in the lipid bilayer
 Eukaryotic cells are distinguished from prokaryotic cells by the presence of o Transmembrane protein – integral proteins that span the bilayer
a membrane-delimited nucleus.  Hydrophobic region form an alpha helix
o Except RBC and cells of the eye  Hydrophilic region
 Two compartments: Nucleus and Cytoplasm o Lipid anchors – can be covalently attached to proteins
 Cytoplasm is an aqueous solution containing numerous organic molecules,  Glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors proteins to the
ions, cytoskeletal elements, and a number of organelles. outer leaflet of the membrane
 Proteins can be attached to the inner leaflet
A. PLASMA MEMBRANE  via their amino-terminus by fatty acids (e.g.,
 Functions: myristate or palmitate)
o Separate the intracellular contents from the extracellular  via their carboxyl-terminus by prenyl anchors
environment (e.g., farnesyl or geranylgeranyl).
o Selective transport (membrane transport proteins)  Peripheral proteins
o Signal recognition (cell surface antigen) o More commonly bound to integral or lipid-anchored proteins
o Signal communication (Neurotransmitter and hormone receptor o May be associated with polar head groups of membrane lipids.
and through signal transduction pathways)  Membrane Carbohydrates
o Tissue organization (cell junctions) interaction with o Glyocalyx glycolipids and glycoproteins)
extracellular matrix (CAMs)
o Membrane-dependent enzyme activity b. Membrane Transport
o Determination of cell shape (cytoskeleton)  The presence of specific membrane transporters in the membrane is
responsible for the movement of these solutes and water across the
a. Structure and Composition membrane.
 5-nm thick lipid bilayer
c. Membrane Transport Proteins
Membrane lipids
 Major lipids of the plasma membrane: Phospholipids and 1. Water Channels or Aquaporins
phosphoglycerides  Main routes for water movement into and out of the cell
 Main types of lipids in the cell membrane:  Aquaporin Isoforms
1. Phospholipid o AQP3 and AQP4 – basolateral membrane of their collecting
o The amphipathic nature of phospholipid is critical for the ducts of the kidney
formation of lipid bilayer. o AQP2 – apical membrane of their collecting ducts
o Hydrophilic/Polar head; Hydrophobic/Non-polar FA tail  Regulated by ADH or vasopressin
o Glycerol backbone  Also permit other molecules such as glycerol, urea, mannitol, purines,
o Fatty acid chains (14-20 C chains) pyrimidines, CO2, and NH3
o Alcohol (e.g., serin, choline, ethanolamine, inositol, and  Collectively called as aquaglyceroporins
glycerol) 2. Ion Channels
o Phosphatidylinositol – plays an important role in signal  Important for the function of excitable cells
transduction  Classified by:
2. Sphingomyelin o Selectivity – nature of ions that pass through the channels
o Sphingosine backbone o Channel conductance – number of ions pass through the
o Same w/ phospholipid channel; picosiemens (pS)
 Inward rectifier – channel that has a larger
Phospholipid Location in Membrane conductance when ions are moving into the cell than
Phosphatidylcholine Outer leaflet out of the cell.
Sphingomyelin Outer leaflet o Gating – process of fluctuation of ion channel between an open
Phosphatidylserine Inner leaflet state or a close state
Phosphatidylethanolamine Inner leaflet  Factors that control gating:
Phosphatidylinositol Inner leaflet 1. Membrane voltage
3. Cholesterol 2. Extracellular antagonist or agonist
o Found in both leaflets 3. Intracellular messengers (Ca2+, ATP..)
o Stabilize the membrane at normal body temperature 4. Mechanical stretch
o ~50% of lipids in the membrane  Can be regulated by a change in the number of channels or by gating
 Glycolipid – minor lipid component of the plasma membrane 3. Solute Carriers (SLCs)
o Consists of 2 FA chains linked to polar heads that consist of  represent a large group of membrane transporters categorized into more
carbohydrates than 50 families
o Glycosylphosphatylinositol (GPI) – plays an important role in  3 Groups according to their mode of transport
anchoring proteins to the outer leaflet of the membrane 1. Uniport (facilitated transporters) – transports single molecule
 The fluidity of the membrane is determined by: temperature and lipid across the membrane
composition 2. Symporters (cotransporters) – couples the movement of two or
o Inc. temp = Inc. fluidity more molecules/ions across the membrane in the same direction
o Inc. presence of unsaturated FA = Inc. fluidity (e.g., NKCC2 or SLC21A1 in kidney)
 Kinked tails prevents the molecule from associating 3. Antiporters (exchange transporters) - couples the movement of
closely with surrounding lipids, two or more molecules/ions across the membrane in the
 Membrane domains can also be isolated from one another opposite direction. (Na+-H+ antiporter)
o E.g., junctional complexes 4. ATP-dependent Transporters
 separates the plasma membrane of epithelial cells  Use the energy in ATP to drive the movement of molecules/ ions across
into two domains: apical and basolateral the membrane.
 Lipid rafts – have an association with specific proteins, which diffuse in  2 Groups of ATP-dependent transporters
the plane of the membrane as a discrete unit. o ATPase ion transporter

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Lijauco, Cylo Christan D.L. | PLM MED 2024B | Physiology | Berne and Levy

 P-type – phosphorylated during transport

II. VESICULAR TRANSPORT

Endocytosis

 is the process whereby a piece of the plasma membrane pinches off and is
internalized into the cell interior.

Exocytosis

 is the process whereby vesicles inside the cell fuse with the plasma
membrane.

Transcytosis

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