The fine-tuning of cell membrane lipid bilayers accentuates their compositional complexity

Cell membranes are now emerging as finely tuned molecular systems, signifying that re-evaluation of our understanding of their structure is essential. Although the idea that cell membrane lipid bilayers do little more than give shape and form to cells and limit diffusion between cells and their environment is totally passe, the structural, compositional, and functional complexity of lipid bilayers often catches cell and molecular biologists by surprise. Models of lipid bilayer structure have developed considerably since the heyday of the fluid mosaic model, principally by the discovery of the restricted diffusion of membrane proteins and lipids within the plane of the bilayer. In reviewing this field, we now suggest that further refinement of current models is necessary and propose that describing lipid bilayers as finely-tuned molecular assemblies best portrays their complexity and function.

Automated summary

Cell membranes are now seen as finely tuned molecular systems, with their structural, compositional, and functional complexity often surprising cell and molecular biologists. Models of lipid bilayer structure have evolved considerably, especially with the discovery of restricted diffusion of membrane proteins and lipids within the bilayer. Refinement of current models and describing lipid bilayers as finely tuned molecular assemblies are proposed to better capture their complexity and function.