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The Cell as an Inspiration in Biomaterial Design
Published in Heather N. Hayenga, Helim Aranda-Espinoza, Biomaterial Mechanics, 2017
Helim Aranda-Espinoza, Katrina Adlerz
Membranes are 5–10 nm layers that enclose cells and certain organelles to create an environment for the many chemical reactions that occur inside the cell and organelles. A membrane is about 50% lipids and 50% proteins [6]. The majority of the lipids are amphiphilic phospholipids that have a polar head and a hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail. These amphiphilic lipids self-assemble into bilayers in aqueous environments with the heads exposed and tails inside. While water is able to move through lipid bilayers, other ions and most polar molecules are not able to diffuse across the membrane. Certain transmembrane proteins allow specific molecules and atoms to be transported through, allowing homeostasis between the inside and outside of a cell. The ability of phospholipids to self-assemble into closed structures like spherical vesicles and their selective permeability has been used in the design of biomaterials. Membrane phospholipids have been used to create enclosed vesicles that can carry drugs, DNA, siRNA, or molecules for detection. The self-assembly principles of the cell membrane have also been mimicked to create synthetic amphiphiles that can also form vesicles as explained here.
Potential of Microalgae for Protein Production
Published in Sanjeet Mehariya, Shashi Kant Bhatia, Obulisamy Parthiba Karthikeyan, Algal Biorefineries and the Circular Bioeconomy, 2022
Elena M. Rojo, Alejandro Filipigh, David Moldes, Marisol Vega, Silvia Bolado
Proteins may be found within the plasma membrane and in the cell wall (as transmembrane proteins), or bound to the membrane's lipids (as periphery proteins) (Figure 4.2). They are also found in the cytoplasm or as part of many organelles such as chloroplast, mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, or inside the cell's nucleus (Safi et al., 2014a). Transmembrane proteins have a hydrophobic region in contact with the bilayer membrane that is tightly bound (Safi et al., 2014a).
Biomolecules and Complex Biological Entities
Published in Simona Badilescu, Muthukumaran Packirisamy, BioMEMS, 2016
Simona Badilescu, Muthukumaran Packirisamy
Supported lipid bilayers present a simple model of cell membranes in configurations that can be easily investigated with common quantitative surface-sensitive tools. They are of particular interest as components of future generations of biosensors based on transmembrane proteins.
Plant pharmacology: Insights into in-planta kinetic and dynamic processes of xenobiotics
Published in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2022
Tomer Malchi, Sara Eyal, Henryk Czosnek, Moshe Shenker, Benny Chefetz
Transmembrane receptors within cytosolic domains cause enzyme activation or modification of the influx/efflux of endogenous compounds. Transmembrane proteins with domains on both sides of the membrane are poised structurally to transmit information from one side of the membrane to the other. Plant proteins have been identified that resemble the receptor protein kinases of animal cells, known as receptor-like protein kinases (Braun & Walker, 1996; He et al., 2018). In addition to receptor activity, xenobiotics compounds may modify cell membrane structure and function (Page & Maddison, 2008; Wink, 2010).