Studies of the cell membrane in the past two decades have led to the realization of the dynamic nature of membrane organization. Under favorable conditions, membrane components are capable of rotational and translational motions as well as extensive lateral interactions within the membrane matrix. This dynamic property of the cell membrane bears important consequences regarding the cellular mechanisms responsible for development and maintenance of mem brane organization . For example, it is well known that mature nerve and muscle cells usually have a specific pattern of protein distribution in their plasma membranes: Transmitter receptors and ionic channels are frequently segregated or localized in specific regions of the membrane. If the proteins are laterally mobile in the membrane, how does a nonrandom protein topog raphy develop? How is it maintained in the face of metabolic turnover of the proteins? Is protein topography modifiable in the mature membrane? The answers to these questions are directly relevant for understanding the function and the plasticity of excitable membranes. The main subjects to be covered in the present review are (a) The lateral mobility of membrane proteins in the developing and mature excitable cells; (b) the nonrandom distribution of proteins in excitable membranes and possible mechanisms responsible for the development and maintenance of such distri bution; (c) the implications of protein mobility in the functions of developing and mature excitable cells. For other aspects of the structure and organization of excitable membranes, a number of recent reviews may be consulted (Stri chartz 1977, Patrick et al 1978, Pfenninger 1978, Rogart 1981).
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Mu‐ming Poo (1985) studied this question.