Plasma membrane phospholipid bilayer

The plasma membrane phospholipid bilayer is a fundamental biological structure composed of two layers of amphipathic phospholipids that forms the primary barrier between the interior of a cell and the external environment. It serves as a matrix for membrane proteins and is critical for maintaining cellular integrity, regulating the transport of ions and molecules, and facilitating signal transduction through various receptors and lipid rafts (StatPearls, 2023). In pharmacology, the bilayer is a significant therapeutic target, particularly for antimicrobial and antifungal agents that exploit differences in lipid composition—such as the presence of ergosterol in fungi or specific anionic lipids in bacteria—to induce membrane leakage and cell death (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2017). Beyond direct disruption, the physical properties of the bilayer, such as fluidity and thickness, can be modulated by general anesthetics and certain lipophilic drugs to alter the function of embedded proteins. However, targeting the bilayer presents significant safety challenges, as many agents can cause off-target damage to human host cell membranes, leading to side effects like nephrotoxicity or hemolysis (Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2020).

Other names

Cell membraneCytoplasmic membraneLipid bilayerPlasmalemma

Membrane permeabilization, pore formation, sequestration of essential lipids, alteration of membrane fluidity, and disruption of electrochemical gradients.