Eukaryotic cell membrane (PM) (PM)

The eukaryotic cell membrane, or plasma membrane, is a complex and dynamic lipid bilayer that serves as the defining boundary of the cell, separating the intracellular environment from the extracellular space (Alberts et al., 2002). It is primarily composed of phospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols like cholesterol, which together maintain the membrane's structural integrity and fluid nature (Nature Education, 2014). The membrane is not merely a passive barrier; it is a highly functional entity that facilitates selective permeability, ion homeostasis, and signal transduction through a vast array of embedded proteins (Cooper, 2000). In clinical pharmacology, the membrane is a significant target for certain classes of drugs, such as polyene antifungals (e.g., Amphotericin B), which bind to membrane sterols to induce pore formation and subsequent cell lysis (StatPearls, 2024). Additionally, the membrane's composition is often altered in diseases like cancer, where changes in lipid signaling and membrane fluidity can promote tumor progression and metastasis (PubMed, 2021). However, because the plasma membrane is a ubiquitous component of all human cells, targeting it therapeutically presents substantial challenges regarding selectivity and systemic toxicity, such as nephrotoxicity and hemolysis (NIH, 2023).

Other names

Plasma membraneCytoplasmic membraneCell membranePhospholipid bilayer

Drugs targeting the eukaryotic cell membrane typically act by binding to specific lipid components (such as ergosterol or cholesterol) to form transmembrane pores, disrupting the physical integrity of the bilayer, or modulating membrane fluidity to alter the function of embedded proteins (StatPearls, 2024; PubMed, 2021).