Long-range viscosity of the plasma membrane of a living cell measured by a shear-driven flow method.

ABSTRACT: The viscosity of the plasma membrane in living cells is a crucial biophysical parameter that regulates cellular functions. We categorize the plasma membrane viscosity into short-range and long-range viscosities based on the spatial scale of the cellular processes they influence. Short-range viscosity originates from the Brownian motion of membrane molecules (i.e., the nanometer-scale motion of molecules) and regulates signal transduction and membrane transport. It is reported that the short-range viscosity in living cells is almost the same or at most 10 times greater than that of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) membranes. In contrast, long-range viscosity is critical for cellular-scale (i.e., micrometer scale) membrane flow, which plays important roles during cell migratio

SUBMITTER: Sakuma Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12709273 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature