Faculty Collaboration Database

High Cholesterol/Low Cholesterol: Effects in Biological Membranes: A Review. Cell Biochem Biophys 2017 Dec;75(3-4):369-385

Date

04/19/2017

Pubmed ID

28417231

Pubmed Central ID

PMC5645210

DOI

10.1007/s12013-017-0792-7

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85017521790 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   227 Citations

Abstract

Lipid composition determines membrane properties, and cholesterol plays a major role in this determination as it regulates membrane fluidity and permeability, as well as induces the formation of coexisting phases and domains in the membrane. Biological membranes display a very diverse lipid composition, the lateral organization of which plays a crucial role in regulating a variety of membrane functions. We hypothesize that, during biological evolution, membranes with a particular cholesterol content were selected to perform certain functions in the cells of eukaryotic organisms. In this review, we discuss the major membrane properties induced by cholesterol, and their relationship to certain membrane functions.

Author List

Subczynski WK, Pasenkiewicz-Gierula M, Widomska J, Mainali L, Raguz M

Author

Witold K. Subczynski PhD Professor in the Biophysics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Cholesterol
Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Lipid Bilayers
Membrane Fluidity
Phospholipids
Solubility
Spin Labels