Pulmonary surfactant: functions and molecular composition.
This review briefly notes recent findings important for understanding the surface mechanical functions of pulmonary surfactant. Currently known surfactant-specific proteins and lipids are discussed, with an eye to their possible functions. Competing models of the alveolar subphase life cycle of surfactant are also presented. It is concluded that, in spite of much effort, we still do not understand the basic molecular mechanisms underlying surfactant's rapid adsorption to the air-water interface.
Goerke
J
J
Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Physiology, University of California, 3333 California Street, Suite 150, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA. goerke@itsa.ucf.edu
D000818:Animals; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008954:Models, Biological; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000502:physiology*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012756:Sheep
D008055:Lipids; D011506:Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants