Placental alkaline phosphatase is efficiently targeted to rafts in supported lipid bilayers

Shedding of collagen XVII ectodomain depends on plasma membrane microenvironment

Collagen XVII, a hemidesmosomal component, mediates the adhesion of epidermal keratinocytes to the underlying basement membrane. It exists as a full-length transmembrane protein and a soluble ectodomain that is proteolytically released from the cell surface by sheddases of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family; TACE, the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme, is the major physiological proteinase. Because both collagen XVII and the ADAMs are transmembrane proteins, their plasma membrane microenvironment can influence shedding. Lipid rafts, assemblies of sphingolipids and cholesterol within the plasma membrane, are responsible for the separation of membrane proteins and are thought to regulate shedding of cell surface proteins. In this study we analyzed the influence of the cholesterol-depleting agent methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD), which disintegrates lipid rafts, on the shedding of collagen XVII in HaCaT keratinocytes and in transfected COS-7 cells. Increasing concentrations of MbetaCD led to a dose-dependent decrease of membrane cholesterol levels and to stimulation of collagen XVII shedding. The stimulation was completely inhibited by sheddase inhibitors, and experiments with COS-7 cells co-transfected with TACE and collagen XVII demonstrated that TACE mediated the low cholesterol-dependent shedding. Co-patching analysis by double immunofluorescence staining revealed co-localization of collagen XVII with the raft resident phosphatidylinositol-linked placental alkaline phosphatase and segregation from the non-raft protein human transferrin receptor, indicating that a majority of collagen XVII molecules was incorporated into lipid rafts. These data deliver the first evidence for the role of plasma membrane lipid organization in the regulation of collagen XVII shedding and, therefore, in the regulation of keratinocyte migration and differentiation.

Ligand modulation of lateral segregation of a G-protein-coupled receptor into lipid microdomains in sphingomyelin/phosphatidylcholine solid-supported bilayers

A growing body of evidence supports the idea that the plasma membrane bilayer is characterized by a laterally inhomogeneous mixture of lipids, having an organized structure in which lipid molecules segregate into small domains or patches. Such microdomains are characterized by high contents of sphingolipids that form thicker liquid-ordered regions that are resistant to extraction with nonionic detergents. The existence of lipid lateral segregation has been demonstrated in both model and biological membranes, although its role in protein sorting and membrane function still remains unclear. In these studies, plasmon-waveguide resonance (PWR) spectroscopy was employed to investigate the properties of microdomains in a model system consisting of a solid-supported lipid bilayer composed of a 1:1 mixture of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) and brain sphingomyelin (SM), and their influence on the partitioning and functioning of the human delta opioid receptor (hDOR), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Resonance signals corresponding to two microdomains (POPC-rich and SM-rich) were observed in such bilayers, and the sorting of the receptor into each domain was highly dependent on the type of ligand that was bound. When no ligand was bound, the receptor was incorporated preferentially into the POPC-rich domain; when an agonist or antagonist was bound, the receptor was incorporated preferentially into the SM-rich component, although with a 2-fold greater propensity for this microdomain in the case of the agonist. Binding of G-protein to the agonist-bound receptor in the SM-rich domain occurred with a 30-fold higher affinity than binding to the receptor in the PC-rich domain. The binding of the agonist to an unliganded receptor in the bilayer produced receptor trafficking from the PC-rich to the SM-rich component. Since the SM-rich domain is thicker than the PC-rich domain, and previous studies with the hDOR have shown that the receptor is elongated upon agonist activation, we propose that hydrophobic matching between the receptor and the lipid is a driving force for receptor trafficking to the SM-rich component.

Epidermal growth factor receptors are localized to lipid rafts that contain a balance of inner and outer leaflet lipids: a shotgun lipidomics study

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor partitions into lipid rafts made using a detergent-free method, but is extracted from low density fractions by Triton X-100. By screening several detergents, we identified Brij 98 as a detergent in which the EGF receptor is retained in detergent-resistant membrane fractions. To identify the difference in lipid composition between those rafts that harbored the EGF receptor (detergent-free and Brij 98-resistant) and those that did not (Triton X-100-resistant), we used multidimensional electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to perform a lipidomics study on these three raft preparations. Although all three raft preparations were similarly enriched in cholesterol, the EGF receptor-containing rafts contained more ethanolamine glycerophospholipids and less sphingomyelin than did the non-EGF receptor-containing Triton X-100 rafts. As a result, the detergent-free and Brij 98-resistant rafts exhibited a balance of inner and outer leaflet lipids, whereas the Triton X-100 rafts contained a preponderance of outer leaflet lipids. Furthermore, in all raft preparations, the outer leaflet phospholipid species were significantly different from those in the bulk membrane, whereas the inner leaflet lipids were quite similar to those found in the bulk membrane. These findings indicate that the EGF receptor is retained only in rafts that exhibit a lipid distribution compatible with a bilayer structure and that the selection of phospholipids for inclusion into rafts occurs mainly on the outer leaflet lipids.

Measurement of the anchorage force between GPI-anchored alkaline phosphatase and supported membranes by AFM force spectroscopy

Mammalian alkaline phosphatases (AP) are glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored proteins that are localized on the outer layer of the plasma membrane. The GPI anchors are covalently attached to the C-termini of proteins and consist of a glycan chain bonded to phosphatidylinositol with two acyl chains anchored into the membrane bilayer. Force spectroscopy, based on atomic force microscope (AFM) technology, was used to determine the adhesion of alkaline phosphatase in the absence and presence of anchors. The GPI anchors increase markedly the adhesion frequency (i.e., the protein affinity for the membrane). An adhesion force of 350 +/- 200 pN is measured between GPI-anchored AP (AP(GPI)) and supported phospholipid bilayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) presenting structural defects (holes). In the absence of defects, the adhesion force (103 +/- 17 pN) and the adhesion frequency are reduced. These results indicate that AP(GPI) poorly spontaneously insert into membranes in vivo and open new perspectives for the characterization of the interactions between GPI proteins and membranes.

Raft Partitioning and Dynamic Behavior of Human Placental Alkaline Phosphatase in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

Much attention has recently been drawn to the hypothesis that cellular membranes organize in functionalized platforms called rafts, enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol. The notion that glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins are strongly associated with rafts is based on their insolubility in nonionic detergents. However, detergent-based methodologies for identifying raft association are indirect and potentially prone to artifacts. On the other hand, rafts have proven to be difficult to visualize and investigate in living cells. A number of studies have demonstrated that model membranes provide a valuable tool for elucidating some of the raft properties. Here, we present a model membrane system based on domain-forming giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), in which the GPI-anchored protein, human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), has been functionally reconstituted. Raft morphology, protein raft partitioning, and dynamic behavior have been characterized by fluorescence confocal microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Approximately 20-30% of PLAP associate with sphingomyelin-enriched domains. The affinity of PLAP for the liquid-ordered (l(o)) phase is compared to that of a nonraft protein, bacteriorhodopsin. Next, detergent extraction was carried out on PLAP-containing GUVs as a function of temperature, to relate the lipid and protein organization in distinct phases of the GUVs to the composition of detergent resistant membranes (DRMs). Finally, antibody-mediated cross-linking of PLAP induces a shift of its partition coefficient in favor of the l(o) phase.

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging Demonstrates that P2X2 Receptors Are Trimers but That P2X6 Receptor Subunits Do Not Oligomerize

P2X receptors are cation-selective channels activated by extracellular ATP. The architecture of these receptors is still not completely clear. Here we have addressed this issue by both chemical cross-linking and direct imaging of individual receptors by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cross-linking of the P2X(2) receptor produced higher order adducts, consistent with the presence of trimers. The mean molecular volume of the receptor determined by AFM (409 nm(3)) also points to a trimeric structure. P2X(2) receptors bearing His(6) epitope tags were incubated with anti-His(6) antibodies, and the resultant complexes were imaged by AFM. For receptors with two bound antibodies, the mean angle between the antibodies was 123 degrees , again indicating that the receptor is a trimer. In contrast, cross-linking of the P2X(6) receptor did not produce higher order adducts, and the mean molecular volume of the receptor was 145 nm(3). We conclude that P2X(2) receptors are trimers, whereas the P2X(6) receptor subunits do not form stable oligomers.

Plasmon-waveguide Resonance Studies of Lateral Segregation of Lipids and Proteins into Microdomains (Rafts) in Solid-supported Bilayers

Plasmon-waveguide resonance (PWR) spectroscopy has been used to examine solid-supported lipid bilayers consisting of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), sphingomyelin (SM), and phosphatidylcholine/SM binary mixtures. Spectral simulation of the resonance curves demonstrated an increase in bilayer thickness, long-range order, and molecular packing density in going from DOPC to POPC to SM single component bilayers, as expected based on the decreasing level of unsaturation in the fatty acyl chains. DOPC/SM and POPC/SM binary mixtures yielded PWR spectra that can be ascribed to a superposition of two resonances corresponding to microdomains (rafts) consisting of phosphatidylcholine- and SM-rich phases coexisting within a single bilayer. These were formed spontaneously over time as a consequence of lateral phase separation. Each microdomain contained a small proportion (<20%) of the other lipid component, which increased their kinetic and thermodynamic stability. Incorporation of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked protein (placental alkaline phosphatase) occurred within each of the single component bilayers, although the insertion was less efficient into the DOPC bilayer. Incorporation of placental alkaline phosphatase into a DOPC/SM binary bilayer occurred with preferential insertion into the SM-rich phase, although the protein incorporated into both phases at higher concentrations. These results demonstrate the utility of PWR spectroscopy to provide insights into raft formation and protein sorting in model lipid membranes.

Do proteins facilitate the formation of cholesterol-rich domains?

Both biological and model membranes can exhibit the formation of domains. A brief review of some of the diverse methodologies used to identify the presence of domains in membranes is given. Some of these domains are enriched in cholesterol. The segregation of lipids into cholesterol-rich domains can occur in both pure lipid systems as well as membranes containing peptides and proteins. Peptides and proteins can promote the formation of cholesterol-rich domains not only by preferentially interacting with cholesterol and being sequestered into these regions of the membrane, but also indirectly as a consequence of being excluded from cholesterol-rich domains. The redistribution of components is dictated by the thermodynamics of the system. The formation of domains in a biological membrane is a consequence of all of the intermolecular interactions including those among lipid molecules as well as between lipids and proteins.

Targeting of Helicobacter pylori vacuolating toxin to lipid raft membrane domains analysed by atomic force microscopy

The Helicobacter pylori vacuolating toxin VacA causes several effects on mammalian cells in vitro, including intracellular vacuolation, formation of pores in the plasma membrane and apoptosis. When added to cells, VacA becomes associated with detergent-resistant membranes, indicating that it binds preferentially to lipid rafts. In the present study, we have used atomic force microscopy to examine directly the association of VacA with lipid domains in supported lipid bilayers. VacA did not bind to lipid bilayers at pH 7.6. In contrast, at pH 4.0, VacA associated with the bilayers in the form of 26-nm oligomeric complexes. VacA bound to bilayers produced from either brain lipids or SM (sphingomyelin) plus cholesterol, each of which lacked detectable lipid domains. Bilayers composed of DOPC (dioleoylphosphatidylcholine), SM and cholesterol contained clearly visible raft-like domains, and VacA preferentially associated with these rafts. VacA bound poorly to raft-like domains in DOPC/SM bilayers, indicating that cholesterol is required for efficient association of VacA with lipid domains. When PS (phosphatidylserine), an anionic phospholipid that does not partition significantly into rafts, was added to the mixture of DOPC, SM and cholesterol, VacA was excluded from the rafts, indicating that it binds more avidly to PS than to the raft components. A typical plasma membrane exhibits pronounced lipid asymmetry, with SM enriched in the outer leaflet and PS in the inner leaflet. Therefore it is probable that the association of VacA with rafts in DOPC/SM/cholesterol bilayers represents a useful model for understanding the interactions of VacA with membranes in vivo.

Role of cholesterol in the formation and nature of lipid rafts in planar and spherical model membranes

Sterols play a crucial regulatory and structural role in the lateral organization of eukaryotic cell membranes. Cholesterol has been connected to the possible formation of ordered lipid domains (rafts) in mammalian cell membranes. Lipid rafts are composed of lipids in the liquid-ordered (l(o)) phase and are surrounded with lipids in the liquid-disordered (l(d)) phase. Cholesterol and sphingomyelin are thought to be the principal components of lipid rafts in cell and model membranes. We have used fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in planar supported lipid bilayers composed of porcine brain phosphatidylcholine (bPC), porcine brain sphingomyelin (bSM), and cholesterol to map the composition-dependence of l(d)/l(o) phase coexistence. Cholesterol decreases the fluidity of bPC bilayers, but disrupts the highly ordered gel phase of bSM, leading to a more fluid membrane. When mixed with bPC/bSM (1:1) or bPC/bSM (2:1), cholesterol induces the formation of l(o) phase domains. The fraction of the membrane in the l(o) phase was found to be directly proportional to the cholesterol concentration in both phospholipid mixtures, which implies that a significant fraction of bPC cosegregates into l(o) phase domains. Images reveal a percolation threshold, i.e., the point where rafts become connected and fluid domains disconnected, when 45-50% of the total membrane is converted to the l(o) phase. This happens between 20 and 25 mol % cholesterol in 1:1 bPC/bSM bilayers and between 25 and 30 mol % cholesterol in 2:1 bPC/bSM bilayers at room temperature, and at approximately 35 mol % cholesterol in 1:1 bPC/bSM bilayers at 37 degrees C. Area fractions of l(o) phase lipids obtained in multilamellar liposomes by a fluorescence resonance energy transfer method confirm and support the results obtained in planar lipid bilayers.

Use of cyclodextrin for AFM monitoring of model raft formation

The lipid rafts membrane microdomains, enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol, are implicated in numerous functions of biological membranes. Using atomic force microscopy, we have examined the effects of cholesterol-loaded methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD-Chl) addition to liquid disordered (l(d))-gel phase separated dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC)/sphingomyelin (SM) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC)/SM supported bilayers. We observed that incubation with MbetaCD-Chl led to the disappearance of domains with the formation of a homogeneously flat bilayer, most likely in the liquid-ordered (l(o)) state. However, intermediate stages differed with the passage through the coexistence of l(o)-l(d) phases for DOPC/SM samples and of l(o)-gel phases for POPC/SM bilayers. Thus, gel phase SM domains surrounded by a l(o) matrix rich in cholesterol and POPC could be observed just before reaching the uniform l(o) state. This suggests that raft formation in biological membranes could occur not only via liquid-liquid but also via gel-liquid immiscibility. The data also demonstrate that MbetaCD-Chl as well as the unloaded cyclodextrin MbetaCD make holes and preferentially extract SM in supported bilayers. This strongly suggests that interpretation of MbetaCD and MbetaCD-Chl effects on cell membranes only in terms of cholesterol movements have to be treated with caution.

Model Systems, Lipid Rafts, and Cell Membranes

Views of how cell membranes are organized are presently changing. The lipid bilayer that constitutes these membranes is no longer understood to be a homogeneous fluid. Instead, lipid assemblies, termed rafts, have been introduced to provide fluid platforms that segregate membrane components and dynamically compartmentalize membranes. These assemblies are thought to be composed mainly of sphingolipids and cholesterol in the outer leaflet, somehow connected to domains of unknown composition in the inner leaflet. Specific classes of proteins are associated with the rafts. This review critically analyzes what is known of phase behavior and liquid-liquid immiscibility in model systems and compares these data with what is known of domain formation in cell membranes.

Bilayer thickness modulates the conductance of the BK channel in model membranes

The conductance of the BK channel was evaluated in reconstituted bilayers made of POPE/POPS (3.3:1), or POPE/POPS with an added 20% of either SPM (3.3:1:1), CER (3.3:1:1), or CHL (3.3:1:1). The presence of SPM, which is known to increase bilayer thickness, significantly reduced the conductance of the BK channel. To directly test the role of membrane thickness, the conductance of the BK channel was measured in bilayers formed from PCs with acyl chains of increasing length (C14:1-C24:1), all in the absence of SPM. Slope conductance was maximal at a chain length of (C18:1) and much reduced for both thinner (C14:1) and thicker (C24:1) bilayers, indicating that membrane thickness alone can modify slope conductance. Further, in a simplified binary mixture of DOPE/SPM that forms a confined, phase-separated bilayer, the measured conductance of BK channels shows a clear bimodal distribution. In contrast, the addition of CER, which has an acyl chain structure similar to SPM but without its bulky polar head group to POPE/POPS, was without effect, as was the addition of CHL. The surface structure of membranes made from these same lipid mixtures was examined with AFM. Incorporation of both SPM and CER resulted in the formation of microdomains in POPE/POPS monolayers, but only SPM promoted a substantial increase in the amount of the high phase observed for the corresponding bilayers. The addition of CHL to POPE/POPS eliminated the phase separation observed in the POPE/POPS bilayer. The decrease in channel conductance observed with the incorporation of SPM into POPE/POPS membranes was, therefore, attributed to larger SPM-rich domains that appear thicker than the neighboring bilayer.

Lipid rafts: heterogeneity on the high seas

Lipid rafts are membrane microdomains that are enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. They have been implicated in processes as diverse as signal transduction, endocytosis and cholesterol trafficking. Recent evidence suggests that this diversity of function is accompanied by a diversity in the composition of lipid rafts. The rafts in cells appear to be heterogeneous both in terms of their protein and their lipid content, and can be localized to different regions of the cell. This review summarizes the data supporting the concept of heterogeneity among lipid rafts and outlines the evidence for cross-talk between raft components. Based on differences in the ways in which proteins interact with rafts, the Induced-Fit Model of Raft Heterogeneity is proposed to explain the establishment and maintenance of heterogeneity within raft populations.

Lipid rafts: feeling is believing

In the late 1990s, accumulated evidence led to the proposal that biological membranes are composed of microdomains of different lipids, which form functional "rafts." Recent work using atomic force microscopy has given us new insights into the factors influencing the formation and behavior of these physiological microenvironments

Analysis of the interactions between HIV-1 and the cellular prion protein in a human cell line

The cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) is highly conserved in mammals and expressed widely in different tissues but its physiological role remains elusive. Recently, the human PrP(c) was shown to possess nucleic acid binding and chaperoning properties similar to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) nucleocapsid protein, a key viral factor in virus structure and replication. These findings prompted us to determine if PrP(c) could influence HIV-1 replication. We used the human 293T cell line as a model system, since only a very low level of PrP(c) accumulates in these cells. Expression of PrP at a high level resulted in a specific decrease of HIV-1 Env and Vpr expression. Despite similar levels of intracellular Gag, virus production was reduced by eightfold and infectivity by three- to fourfold in the presence of PrP(c). A PrP(c) mutant lacking the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor peptide did not impair HIV-1 production, suggesting that PrP(c) trafficking is critical for this inhibitory effect. Coexpressing HIV-1 and PrP(c) in these cells also caused a fraction of PrP(c) to become partially proteinase K-resistant (PrP(res)), further illustrating the interactions between HIV-1 and PrP(c).

Syntaxin is efficiently excluded from sphingomyelin-enriched domains in supported lipid bilayers containing cholesterol

Formation of a trans-complex between the three SNARE proteins syntaxin, synaptobrevin and SNAP-25 drives membrane fusion. The structure of the core SNARE complex has been studied extensively. Here we have used atomic force microscopy to study the behavior of recombinant syntaxin 1A both in detergent extracts and in a lipid environment. Full-length syntaxin in detergent extracts had a marked tendency to aggregate, which was countered by addition of munc-18. In contrast, syntaxin lacking its transmembrane region was predominantly monomeric. Syntaxin could be integrated into liposomes, which formed lipid bilayers when deposited on a mica support. Supported bilayers were decorated with lipid vesicles in the presence, but not the absence, of full-length syntaxin, indicating that formation of syntaxin complexes in trans could mediate vesicle docking. Syntaxin complexes remained at the sites of docking following detergent solubilization of the lipids. Raised lipid domains could be seen in bilayers containing sphingomyelin, and these domains were devoid of syntaxin and docked vesicles in the presence, but not the absence, of cholesterol. Our results demonstrate that syntaxin is excluded from sphingomyelin-enriched domains in a cholesterol-dependent manner.

Cholesterol efflux alters lipid raft stability and distribution during capacitation of boar spermatozoa

A reduction in plasma membrane cholesterol is one of the early events that either triggers or is closely associated with capacitation of mammalian spermatozoa. In this investigation, we have examined the effects of cholesterol efflux on tyrosine phosphorylation, lipid diffusion, and raft organization in boar spermatozoa. Results show that a low level of cholesterol efflux, mediated by 5 mM methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD), enhances capacitation and induces phosphorylation of two proteins at 26 and 15 kDa without affecting sperm viability. Lipid diffusion rates under these conditions are largely unaffected except when cholesterol efflux is excessive. Low-density Triton X100-insoluble complexes (lipid rafts) were isolated from spermatozoa and found to have a restricted profile of proteins. Capacitation-associated cholesterol efflux has no effect on raft composition, but cholesterol depletion destabilizes them completely and phosphorylation is suppressed. During MBCD-mediated capacitation, the distribution of GM1 gangliosides on spermatozoa changes in a sequential manner from overlying the sperm tail to clustering on the sperm head. It is concluded that there is a safe window for removal of plasma membrane cholesterol from spermatozoa within which protein phosphorylation and polarized migration of lipid rafts take place. A preferential loss of cholesterol from the nonraft pool may be the stimulus that promotes raft clustering over the anterior sperm head.

The role of annexin 2 in osteoblastic mineralization

While the basic cellular contributions to bone differentiation and mineralization are widely accepted, the regulation of these processes at the intracellular level remains inadequately understood. Our laboratory recently identified annexin 2 as a protein involved in osteoblastic mineralization. Annexin 2 was overexpressed twofold in SaOSLM2 osteoblastic cells as a fusion protein with green fluorescent protein. The overexpression of annexin 2 led to an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity as well as an increase in mineralization. Our data suggest that the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity does not result from increased alkaline phosphatase transcript or protein levels; therefore we evaluated mechanism of action. We determined that both annexin 2 and alkaline phosphatase activity were localized to membrane microdomains called lipid rafts in osteoblastic cells. Annexin 2 overexpression resulted in an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity that was associated with lipid microdomains in a cholesterol-dependent manner. Furthermore, disruption of lipid rafts with a cholesterol sequestering agent or reduction of annexin 2 expression by specific antisense oligonucleotides each resulted in diminished mineralization. Therefore, intact lipid rafts containing annexin 2 appear to be important for alkaline phosphatase activity and may facilitate the osteoblastic mineralization process.

Rafts, little caves and large potholes: how lipid structure interacts with membrane proteins to create functionally diverse membrane environments

This chapter reviews how diverse lipid microdomains form in the membrane and partition proteins into different functional units that regulate cell trafficking, signalling and movement. We will concentrate upon five major issues: 1. the diversity of lipid structure that produces diverse microenvironments into which different subsets of proteins partition; 2. why ordered lipid domains exclude proteins, and the conditions required for select subsets of proteins to enter these domains; 3. the coupling of the inner and outer leaflets within ordered microdomains; 4. the effect of ordered lipid domains upon membrane properties including curvature and hydrophobicity that affect membrane fission, fusion and extension of filopodia; 5. the biological effects of these structural constraints; in particular how the properties of these domains combine to provide a very different signalling, trafficking and membrane fusion environment to that found in disordered (fluid mosaic) membrane. In addressing these problems, the review draws upon studies ranging from molecular dynamic modelling of lipid interactions, through physical studies of model membrane systems to structural and biological studies of whole cells, examining in the process problems inherent in visualising and purifying these microdomains. While the diversity of structure and function of ordered lipid microdomains is emphasised, some general roles emerge. In particular, the basis for having quite different, non-interacting ordered lipid domains on the same membrane is evident in the diversity of lipid structure and plays a key role in sorting signalling systems. The exclusion of ordered membrane from coated pits, and hence rapid endocytosis, is suggested to underlie the ability of highly ordered domains to establish stable secondary signalling systems required, for instance, in T cell receptor, insulin and neurotrophin signalling.

The state of lipid rafts: from model membranes to cells

Lipid raft microdomains were conceived as part of a mechanism for the intracellular trafficking of lipids and lipid-anchored proteins. The raft hypothesis is based on the behavior of defined lipid mixtures in liposomes and other model membranes. Experiments in these well-characterized systems led to operational definitions for lipid rafts in cell membranes. These definitions, detergent solubility to define components of rafts, and sensitivity to cholesterol deprivation to define raft functions implicated sphingolipid- and cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in many cell functions. Despite extensive work, the basis for raft formation in cell membranes and the size of rafts and their stability are all uncertain. Recent work converges on very small rafts <10 nm in diameter that may enlarge and stabilize when their constituents are cross-linked.

Enzyme polymorphisms, smoking, and human reproduction. A study of human placental alkaline phosphatase

We investigated the possible effects of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) genotype on the deleterious action of maternal smoke on intrauterine survival and birthweight. PLAP is a highly polymorphic enzyme with several alleles associated with different enzymatic activities. PLAP is produced by the embryo and is found in maternal blood, where it is responsible for the rise of serum alkaline phosphatase during pregnancy. Two hundred and fourteen Caucasian consecutive newborn infants delivered in the Maternity Department of the University of Rome La Sapienza Hospital were studied. Infants from smoking women 28 years or older show a strong decrease of both PLAP*1/*1 and *2/*2 homozygous types and a marked deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectation, thus suggesting a different lethal effect of smoke depending on PLAP genotype and maternal age. In infants from smoking mothers there is a decrease of birthweight that is much less evident and statistically not significant in infants carrying the PLAP*1/*1 genotype as compared to other genotypes. The difference between PLAP genotypes concerning birthweight is more marked in women older than 28 years than in younger ones. This suggests that the effects of smoke on birthweight are also dependent on PLAP and maternal age.

Formation of functional cell membrane domains: the interplay of lipid- and protein-mediated interactions

Numerous cell membrane associated processes, including signal transduction, membrane sorting, protein processing and virus trafficking take place in membrane subdomains. Protein-protein interactions provide the frameworks necessary to generate biologically functional membrane domains. For example, coat proteins define membrane areas destined for sorting processes, viral proteins self-assemble to generate a budding virus, and adapter molecules organize multimolecular signalling assemblies, which catalyse downstream reactions. The concept of raft lipid-based membrane domains provides a different principle for compartmentalization and segregation of membrane constituents. Accordingly, rafts are defined by the physical properties of the lipid bilayer and function by selective partitioning of membrane lipids and proteins into membrane domains of specific phase behaviour and lipid packing. Here, I will discuss the interplay of these independent principles of protein scaffolds and raft lipid microdomains leading to the generation of biologically functional membrane domains.

Real-time analysis of the effects of cholesterol on lipid raft behavior using atomic force microscopy

Cholesterol plays a crucial role in cell membranes, and has been implicated in the assembly and maintenance of sphingolipid-rich rafts. We have examined the cholesterol-dependence of model rafts (sphingomyelin-rich domains) in supported lipid monolayers and bilayers using atomic force microscopy. Sphingomyelin-rich domains were observed in lipid monolayers in the absence and presence of cholesterol, except at high cholesterol concentrations, when separate domains were suppressed. The effect of manipulating cholesterol levels on the behavior of these sphingomyelin-rich domains in bilayers was observed in real time. Depletion of cholesterol resulted in dissolution of the model lipid rafts, whereas cholesterol addition resulted in an increased size of the sphingomyelin-rich domains and eventually the formation of a single raftlike lipid phase. Cholesterol colocalization with sphingomyelin-rich domains was confirmed using the sterol binding agent filipin.