Cell surface phospholipid bilayer (PM)

The cell surface phospholipid bilayer is a semi-permeable membrane composed of two layers of phospholipids, with hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing outward. This structure is essential for maintaining the integrity of the cell, facilitating signal transduction, and regulating the movement of substances via passive and active transport (StatPearls, 2023). It acts as a dynamic platform for various proteins and carbohydrates that mediate cell-cell recognition and environmental sensing. In pharmacology, the bilayer is a critical target for antimicrobial agents such as polymyxins and daptomycin, which disrupt the membrane of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively, leading to cytoplasmic leakage and cell death (Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020). Additionally, antifungal agents like amphotericin B target the lipid components, specifically ergosterol, of the fungal bilayer to induce pore formation (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2014). While highly effective, drugs targeting the bilayer often face challenges regarding selectivity, as similarities between pathogen and host membranes can lead to adverse effects like nephrotoxicity (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2017).

Other names

Plasma membraneCell membraneCytoplasmic membraneLipid bilayerBiological membrane

Direct physical disruption of the lipid matrix, formation of transmembrane pores, or induction of membrane depolarization, resulting in the loss of essential ions and metabolites.