Cell membrane and associated proteins

The cell membrane is a complex, dynamic lipid bilayer that serves as the primary interface between a cell and its external environment, providing structural integrity and regulating molecular traffic [Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2014]. It is populated by a diverse array of associated proteins, including integral membrane proteins that span the bilayer and peripheral proteins associated with the membrane surface [The Cell: A Molecular Approach, 2000]. These proteins are essential for critical biological processes such as signal transduction, ion homeostasis, and cell-cell recognition [Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2014]. From a therapeutic perspective, cell membrane proteins represent the largest class of drug targets, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), ion channels, and transporters [Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2017]. Dysregulation of these components is a hallmark of various diseases, including cancer, where membrane receptors may be overexpressed, and neurological disorders involving channelopathies [StatPearls, 2023; Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2017].

Other names

Plasma membraneCytoplasmic membraneCell membrane proteinsMembrane-associated proteins

Drugs targeting this system act by binding to specific integral membrane proteins to modulate signaling, blocking or opening ion channels to alter membrane potential, or directly disrupting the lipid bilayer integrity in the case of certain antibiotics [StatPearls, 2023; Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2017].