Membrane biophysics articles from across Nature Portfolio

Using HDX-MS and MD simulations, the authors demonstrate that Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ binding to specific domains rigidifies specific structural elements of the NCX protein, revealing regulatory modules and molecular mechanisms governing ion transport rates.

The organization of membrane proteins is critical to cellular function. Here the authors explore how computational protein design, MD simulation, and cell-free systems can be combined to elucidate how membrane-protein hydrophobic mismatch affects protein folding and organization in synthetic lipid membranes.

TRAAK, TREK-1 and TREK-2 are mechanosensitive potassium channels involved in action potential propagation among other roles. Here, authors quantify their tension response and show ultrasound can generate tension to activate ion channels.

Many bacterial toxins and viruses deform membranes prior to entering cells via clathrin independent endocytosis. Here the authors show that multivalent lipid binding by globular particles can exceed a threshold adhesion energy required for membrane deformation and that this is sufficient for internalization.

Yeast cadmium factor 1 (Ycf1), a heavy metal and glutathione transporter, is regulated by an intrinsically disordered region called the regulatory domain. In this work, the authors show that this domain controls activity through autoinhibition of the glutathione cavity when it is dephosphorylated.

The poison dart toxin batrachotoxin is the most lethal voltage-gated sodium channel toxin. Here authors identify the toxin bound specifically at two homologous receptor sites, which cause channel hyperactivation by positively modulating channel gating and altering ion conductance.

Cells actively rearrange their cytoplasmic machinery to perform diverse functions. Now, friction forces generated between cytoplasmic components provide a physical basis for cell shape change.

In this Tools of the Trade article, Yohan Lee (Stachowiak lab) describes a method to generate free-standing planar lipid membranes for the study of membrane-associated protein phase separation.

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) within cells is a captivating phenomenon known to aid the organization of cellular components; however, its complex kinetics have remained a puzzle. Now, a new study elucidates the crosstalk between the phase state of an encapsulating membrane and LLPS dynamics.

Macroscale analogies are a powerful conceptual tool with which we can gain insight into the structures and processes of the microscopic world of cell biology.

In this Tools of the Trade article, Roffay and Mercier (from the Roux lab) describe the development of fluorescent Flipper probes that allow measurement of membrane mechanics in vivo.

Sphingomyelin synthase 2 foci assemble at the leading edge of the basal membrane in migrating cells, and these foci eventually become sites of migrasome formation. Conversion of ceramide to sphingomyelin spurs migrasome growth and preserves the structural integrity of these organelles.