title: Effects of trace elements on membrane fluidity.
abstract: According to the Fluid Mosaic Model, a biological membrane is a two-dimensional fluid of oriented proteins and lipids. The lipid bilayer is the basic structure of all cell and organelle membranes. Cell membranes are dynamic, fluid structures, and most of their molecules are able to move in the plane of the membrane. Fluidity is the quality of ease of movement and represents the reciprocal value of membrane viscosity. Fluid properties of biological membranes are essential for numerous cell functions. Even slight changes in membrane fluidity may cause aberrant function and pathological processes. Several evidences suggest that trace elements, e.g., iron, copper, zinc, selenium, chromium, cadmium, mercury and lead may influence membrane fluidity. The interaction of heavy metals with cellular membranes may contribute to explain, at least partially, the toxicity associated with these metals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Zaragoza, C) Domingo Miral sln, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain. jjgarcia@unizar.es
authors.forename: José Joaquín
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martínez-Ballarín
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Millán-Plano
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Allué
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Albendea
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Escanero
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D014131:Trace Elements