On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes
Cell membrane structure is proposed as a lipid matrix with embedded proteins, and thus, their emerging mechanical and electrostatic properties are commanded by lipid behavior and their interconnection with the included and absorbed proteins, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix and ionic media. Struct...
Main Authors: | , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-06-01
|
Series: | Membranes |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/7/478 |
id |
doaj-0f7a2f53ed134c00a6bc3f1cb2d0c8f4 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-0f7a2f53ed134c00a6bc3f1cb2d0c8f42021-07-23T13:53:18ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752021-06-011147847810.3390/membranes11070478On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological MembranesVanesa Viviana Galassi0Natalia Wilke1Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza M5500, ArgentinaDepartamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000HUA, ArgentinaCell membrane structure is proposed as a lipid matrix with embedded proteins, and thus, their emerging mechanical and electrostatic properties are commanded by lipid behavior and their interconnection with the included and absorbed proteins, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix and ionic media. Structures formed by lipids are soft, dynamic and viscoelastic, and their properties depend on the lipid composition and on the general conditions, such as temperature, pH, ionic strength and electrostatic potentials. The dielectric constant of the apolar region of the lipid bilayer contrasts with that of the polar region, which also differs from the aqueous milieu, and these changes happen in the nanometer scale. Besides, an important percentage of the lipids are anionic, and the rest are dipoles or higher multipoles, and the polar regions are highly hydrated, with these water molecules forming an active part of the membrane. Therefore, electric fields (both, internal and external) affects membrane thickness, density, tension and curvature, and conversely, mechanical deformations modify membrane electrostatics. As a consequence, interfacial electrostatics appears as a highly important parameter, affecting the membrane properties in general and mechanical features in particular. In this review we focus on the electromechanical behavior of lipid and cell membranes, the physicochemical origin and the biological implications, with emphasis in signal propagation in nerve cells.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/7/478lipid ionizationelectric fieldflexoelectricityelectro-mechanical propertieselectroporationnerve impulse |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Vanesa Viviana Galassi Natalia Wilke |
spellingShingle |
Vanesa Viviana Galassi Natalia Wilke On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes Membranes lipid ionization electric field flexoelectricity electro-mechanical properties electroporation nerve impulse |
author_facet |
Vanesa Viviana Galassi Natalia Wilke |
author_sort |
Vanesa Viviana Galassi |
title |
On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes |
title_short |
On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes |
title_full |
On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes |
title_fullStr |
On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes |
title_full_unstemmed |
On the Coupling between Mechanical Properties and Electrostatics in Biological Membranes |
title_sort |
on the coupling between mechanical properties and electrostatics in biological membranes |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Membranes |
issn |
2077-0375 |
publishDate |
2021-06-01 |
description |
Cell membrane structure is proposed as a lipid matrix with embedded proteins, and thus, their emerging mechanical and electrostatic properties are commanded by lipid behavior and their interconnection with the included and absorbed proteins, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix and ionic media. Structures formed by lipids are soft, dynamic and viscoelastic, and their properties depend on the lipid composition and on the general conditions, such as temperature, pH, ionic strength and electrostatic potentials. The dielectric constant of the apolar region of the lipid bilayer contrasts with that of the polar region, which also differs from the aqueous milieu, and these changes happen in the nanometer scale. Besides, an important percentage of the lipids are anionic, and the rest are dipoles or higher multipoles, and the polar regions are highly hydrated, with these water molecules forming an active part of the membrane. Therefore, electric fields (both, internal and external) affects membrane thickness, density, tension and curvature, and conversely, mechanical deformations modify membrane electrostatics. As a consequence, interfacial electrostatics appears as a highly important parameter, affecting the membrane properties in general and mechanical features in particular. In this review we focus on the electromechanical behavior of lipid and cell membranes, the physicochemical origin and the biological implications, with emphasis in signal propagation in nerve cells. |
topic |
lipid ionization electric field flexoelectricity electro-mechanical properties electroporation nerve impulse |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/11/7/478 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT vanesavivianagalassi onthecouplingbetweenmechanicalpropertiesandelectrostaticsinbiologicalmembranes AT nataliawilke onthecouplingbetweenmechanicalpropertiesandelectrostaticsinbiologicalmembranes |
_version_ |
1721287118825717760 |