Plasma lipoproteins and cellular lipid membranes

Plasma lipoproteins and cellular lipid membranes are fundamental biological structures composed of lipids and proteins that facilitate transport and provide structural integrity. Plasma lipoproteins, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), are spherical particles that transport hydrophobic lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides through the blood (Feingold, 2022). Cellular lipid membranes are phospholipid bilayers that serve as selective barriers for cells and organelles, housing various receptors and transporters (Alberts et al., 2002). In the context of pharmacology, these are often considered physical sites of action rather than specific molecular targets. For example, the drug probucol partitions into lipoproteins to inhibit the oxidation of LDL, which is a key step in atherosclerosis (Zimetbaum, 2017). Additionally, certain antimicrobial agents like amphotericin B and daptomycin target the lipid components of fungal or bacterial membranes to induce pore formation and cell death (Gray et al., 2014). Because this entry encompasses broad physiological compartments rather than a single protein or gene, it is typically classified as a structural or systemic target in drug development.

Other names

Lipoprotein particlesLipid bilayersPlasma membranesPhospholipid bilayers

Drugs targeting these structures typically act through physical partitioning, sequestration of lipid molecules, or the disruption of membrane structural integrity to alter physiological processes or induce cytotoxicity in pathogens (Gray et al., 2014; Zimetbaum, 2017).