Disruption of cell membrane function

Disruption of cell membrane function is **not a molecular target, receptor, or protein**; rather, it describes a broad **mechanism of action** or **cellular event** where the structural integrity and function of the cell's plasma membrane is compromised. This can occur due to mechanical, chemical, or biological agents, such as pore-forming toxins, certain antibiotics (e.g. polymyxins), antimicrobial peptides, or physical trauma. When the cell membrane is disrupted, it results in loss of selective permeability, ion imbalance, leakage of cellular contents, and ultimately cell death. Drug classes that target this process take advantage of the essential nature of membrane integrity for cell survival and use this disruption as a bactericidal or cytotoxic mechanism. However, 'disruption of cell membrane function' is **not a singular molecule, protein, or receptor** that can be directly targeted in a conventional sense, but rather a description of the result of targeting membrane structure or biophysical properties[8][9][2][7]. **Clarification:** - The provided entry "Disruption of cell membrane function" is a *mechanistic effect* or *pharmacological action*, not a single defined molecular target, and is thus considered incorrect as a canonical target entry. - To obtain structured data as described, the entry should reference a specific *protein*, *receptor*, *enzyme*, or defined membrane component (e.g., "Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase," "Voltage-gated sodium channel," "Phospholipid bilayer"), rather than a process or mechanism.

Other names

Membrane disruptionDisruption of plasma membrane functionPlasma membrane disruption