Cell surface proteins and lipids

Cell surface proteins and lipids collectively refer to the diverse set of proteins and lipid molecules found on the external surface of the cell membrane. Proteins include receptors, ion channels, transporters, enzymes, antigens, and structural proteins; they mediate signal transduction, substance transport, cell–cell interactions, antigen presentation, and serve as drug targets.[5][1][2] Lipids include phospholipids, glycolipids, sphingolipids, and sterols (such as cholesterol); these provide membrane structure, compartmentalization, cellular recognition, and signaling.[9][1][5][3] Both classes are essential for defining cell identity and function, and their dysregulation is implicated in a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from cancer to infections, cardiovascular, and autoimmune conditions.[4][6][8] This entry should be disaggregated for any rigorous molecular target annotation, as its use is too broad for precise pharmacological or mechanistic analysis.

Other names

cell membrane proteins and lipidsmembrane proteins and lipidssurface antigensmembrane constituents

Receptor antagonism/agonism; Channel blockade; Enzyme inhibition; Immune targeting/antibody binding; Altering lipid composition/structure; Modulating signal transduction pathways