Membrane Organization, Dynamics, and Remodelling
1Sambalpur University, Odisha, India
2Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, India
3National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, USA
Membrane Organization, Dynamics, and Remodelling
Description
Biological membranes are complex noncovalent assemblies of a diverse variety of lipids and proteins that allow cellular compartmentalization, thereby imparting an identity to the cell and cellular organelles. Morphological compartmentalization has long been recognized as a physical prerequisite in the context of origin of life. Apart from its role in morphological compartmentalization, membranes also represent the meeting point of lipids and proteins. The composition-dependent functional properties of membrane proteins are often attributed to the organization and dynamics of the membrane. The lateral, rotational, and trans-bilayer dynamics of membranes are very well studied utilizing several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Recently, the correlation of protein function with the membrane organization and dynamics has drawn tremendous attention. In addition, the protein induced remodelling of the membrane depends on the membrane composition and its dynamics. Lipid molecules with high negative curvature always facilitate membrane fusion, which is an important event for cellular trafficking and compartmentalization, intercellular communication, sexual reproduction, endo- and exocytosis, and cell division. Membrane fusion is also the first step for the entry of the lipid sheathed viruses. The emerging field of membrane organization and dynamics is expected to have great impact in understanding the biological function of membrane proteins and organelle-dependent variation of membrane composition.
In this special issue, we encourage submission of high quality manuscripts focusing on the recent advancement in the field of membrane organization, dynamics, and remodelling. The progress of the instrumentation in the last couple of decades allows us to understand the role of membrane physical properties in physiological function of the membrane proteins. With the progress in view, this special issue will cover advances in membrane organization, dynamics, lipid-protein interaction, and membrane remodelling in relation to membrane fusion and fission.
The special issue will be open to research articles, review articles in the field of membrane organization, dynamics and its role in protein-assisted membrane remodelling processes, and clinical studies.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Membrane organization and dynamics
- Protein assisted membrane remodelling
- Membrane fusion
- Membrane fission
- Lipid-protein interaction in membranes under diseased states
- Membrane lipid polymorphism and mesomorphism