Issue 11, 2015

The structure and function of cell membranes examined by atomic force microscopy and single-molecule force spectroscopy

Abstract

The cell membrane is one of the most complicated biological complexes, and long-term fierce debates regarding the cell membrane persist because of technical hurdles. With the rapid development of nanotechnology and single-molecule techniques, our understanding of cell membranes has substantially increased. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided several unprecedented advances (e.g., high resolution, three-dimensional and in situ measurements) in the study of cell membranes and has been used to systematically dissect the membrane structure in situ from both sides of membranes; as a result, novel models of cell membranes have recently been proposed. This review summarizes the new progress regarding membrane structure using in situ AFM and single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), which may shed light on the study of the structure and functions of cell membranes.

Graphical abstract: The structure and function of cell membranes examined by atomic force microscopy and single-molecule force spectroscopy

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
22 Dec 2014
First published
20 Apr 2015

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 3617-3638

Author version available

The structure and function of cell membranes examined by atomic force microscopy and single-molecule force spectroscopy

Y. Shan and H. Wang, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 3617 DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00508B

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