Flow transports extracellular lipid-anchored proteins across the surface of living COS-7 cells.

ABSTRACT: Rapid diffusion of membrane lipids and membrane proteins in living cell plasma membranes demonstrates that the membrane is fluid. However, motion of membrane molecules is inhibited on one side by the cytoskeletal mesh and on the other by the glycocalyx, a layer of proteoglycans carrying polysaccharide chains that covers the membrane surface. Events such as blood circulation, cilia-driven flows, and the swimming motion of microorganisms apply shear stress to cell surfaces. Cell responses to these flows govern important physiological processes such as blood pressure and immune activation. The presence of the glycocalyx is generally thought to shield cell membranes from shear stress that arises from flow. However, here we show that two different proteins, each attached by a lipid anchor to th

SUBMITTER: Sasidharan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12863203 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature