Functional rafts in cell membrane
Article Abstract:
It is possible to demonstrate that proteins can be selectively included or excluded from the microdomains which arise as a result of preferential packing of sphingolipids and cholesterol into moving platforms, or rafts, Specific proteins attach to these rafts within the bilayer. It appears that the function of these microdomains is to act as rafts to transport particular membranes. It is also possible that they function as relay stations in intracellular signalling. It is still necessary to produce proof of the functional significance of lipid rafts in membrane trafficking and signalling.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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A functional barrier to movement of lipids in polarized neurons
Article Abstract:
The fusing of liposomes with fluorescent phospholipids into the plasma membrane of polarized hippocampal cells in culture confirmed the hypothetical existence of a diffusion barrier at the axonal hillock/initial segment. This barrier perpetuates the variation in make up that separates the axonal and somatodendritic domains. The different molecular structures of axons and dendrites allows them to carry out different physiological roles.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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A lipid associated with the antipospholipid syndrome regulates endosome structure and function
Article Abstract:
The structure and role of membrane domains in the vacuolar apparatus of animal cells is not well known. Late endosomes contain poorly characterized internal membranes. It is shown that the internal membranes have large amounts of a unique lipid and form specialized domains within endosomes. The lipid is a specific antigen for human antibodies linked with the antiphospholipid syndrome.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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