Myelin sheaths are the differentiated membrane assemblies in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS; PNS) that wrap nerve fibers in a jelly-roll-like arrangement. The regular organization along fibers of these electrically-insulating, multilamellar, lipid-rich sheaths is responsible for the rapid conduction of electrical signals from one node of Ranvier to the next node. The...
The Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by the formation of senile plaques, primarily consisting of Amyloid-beta peptides. The crucial role in this process at its pre-clinical stage is likely imparted by peptide-membrane interactions [1], though the further details are yet to be understood. Our recent experimental data for example revealed several...
Small membrane lipid domains are important in cell signaling. We investigate modulation of lipid domains by volatile anesthetics. Many volatile compounds produce anesthesia. With no molecular target identified, mechanisms remain puzzling. Large membrane concentrations (~100 mM) are required to produce anesthesia. Hyperbaric pressures (~100 bar) reverse anesthesia.
Using neutron/x-ray...
Plant cell membranes glycerolipids can be classified in two groups: phospholipids containing phosphate, mainly synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and glycolipids – galactolipids and sulfolipids - without phosphate, synthesized in chloroplasts, and being the major constituents of photosynthetic membranes. When plants are deprived of phosphate, a frequent natural situation that...
