Negatively charged cancer cell membrane

The negatively charged cancer cell membrane is a distinctive physiological feature of malignant cells, primarily caused by the loss of phospholipid asymmetry and the resulting exposure of anionic phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet (Riedl et al., 2011, Chem Phys Lipids). Unlike healthy cells, which maintain a neutral outer surface, cancer cells also frequently overexpress sialic acid-containing glycoproteins, further contributing to a net negative surface charge (Papo & Shai, 2005, Cancer Res). This physical property serves as a selective therapeutic target for cationic compounds, such as antimicrobial and oncolytic peptides, which bind via electrostatic interactions. Upon binding, these agents can disrupt the membrane structure, leading to cytoplasmic leakage and rapid cell death, effectively bypassing traditional intracellular drug resistance mechanisms (Hoskin & Ramamoorthy, 2008, Biochim Biophys Acta). Consequently, the membrane's unique charge profile provides a basis for both targeted drug delivery and the development of membrane-lytic therapies.

Other names

Anionic cancer cell membranePhosphatidylserine-exposed cancer membraneSurface-negative tumor cell membraneAnionic lipid bilayer

Therapeutic agents, primarily cationic anticancer peptides, utilize electrostatic attraction to bind to anionic components like phosphatidylserine and sialic acid on the cancer cell surface. This binding leads to membrane insertion and subsequent disruption of the lipid bilayer through pore formation or detergent-like effects, resulting in cell lysis or apoptosis (Hoskin & Ramamoorthy, 2008, Biochim Biophys Acta; Papo & Shai, 2005, Cancer Res).