Asymmetric phospholipids with one long and one medium chain acyl group, which are uncommon in mammalian cells or other well-researched model yeast species, have recently been found in significant concentrations in the membranes of several yeast species. This suggests that structurally asymmetric glycerophospholipids may provide yeast membranes with unique biophysical features. In the study, the main biophysical characteristics of membranes are characterized by the authors utilizing atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, environmentally sensitive fluorescent membrane sensors, and clinically relevant temperature settings (Smith et al., 2021). The article’s research question was to investigate how saturated yet asymmetric glycerophospholipids keep membrane lipid order under a variety of temperature conditions. In the phase behavior of triple lipid bilayers, these asymmetric lipids can take the place of unsaturated symmetrical lipids. This may enable cells to preserve membrane fluidity, which is required for the creation of unsaturated lipids and sterols, even when oxygen is not present (Smith et al., 2021).
The authors employed a variety of methodologies in the study that were appropriate for the settings they chose. This comprises statistical studies, MD modeling, and image analysis. The scientists discovered that at physiological temperatures, membranes composed of asymmetric glycerophospholipids consistently display an intermediate order of membrane lipids (Smith et al., 2021). The authors demonstrated that the lipid order of the membrane is maintained by saturated but asymmetric glycerophospholipids throughout a wide temperature range. Overall, this work attempts to explain how cells can keep their membranes fluid even in the absence of oxygen. The authors stressed the need for more detailed research in this area, encouraging the scientific potential of the methodology employed. Improved commercial uses based on the unique biophysical characteristics of the bilayer may result from more research in this field.
Reference
Smith, P., Owen, D. M., Lorenz, C. D., & Makarova, M. (2021). Asymmetric glycerophospholipids impart distinctive biophysical properties to lipid bilayers. Biophysical Journal, 120(9), 1746-1754.