Synergy of Proteins, Peptides and Lipid Membranes in Vital Cellular Processes

Dear Colleagues,

In membrane biophysics, we commonly focus on the activity of specific proteins responsible for various functions in cells. However, the lipid component of cellular membranes sometimes plays a decisive role in processes, which are connected with membrane rearrangements during fusion, fission, tubulation, and pore formation in biological membranes. Specific features of membrane lipids may stimulate protein clustering and signal transduction. Thus, membrane biophysics concerns the synergy of proteins, peptides, and the lipid matrix, which together orchestrate vital cellular processes.

The aim of this Special issue is to highlight the role of interactions between different components of cellular membranes in regulating cell metabolism. We plan to specifically focus on the role of membrane elastic properties in protein organization and signal transductions, as well as to give new insights into sophisticated and sometimes surprising methods of protein–lipid interactions in membrane biophysics.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• The regulation of protein/peptide function by membrane elasticity;
• Protein–lipid clustering into nanodomains, and the role of lipid composition in protein clustering and signal transduction across the cell membrane;
• The clustering of water-soluble proteins triggered by the interaction with a lipid membrane;
• Pore formation in lipid membranes by various peptides and proteins;
• Protein-induced topological rearrangements of cellular membranes;
• Membrane fusion and fission.

Dr. Oleg V. Batishchev
Dr. Sergey A. Akimov
Guest Editors

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