Regulation of Membrane Function Through Composition, Structure, and Dynamics

Recent data reveal that membrane proteins can be regulated by the lipid environment of the membrane in which the proteins are located. Phospholipids and sterols are capable of regulating membrane protein activity. In some cases, the regulation is specific and may be crucial to cell function. The mechanisms by which this regulation is carried out have not been firmly established. However, the likely mechanisms include bilayer thickness, specific binding of lipids to sites on membrane proteins, and interactions between the surface of the protein and the surface of the lipid bilayer.