BBA - Biomembranes
Protein Modulation of Membrane Structure
Edited by J. Perez-Gil
Volume 1778, Issue 7-8, 2008

Preface
Extensive literature has been published in the last few years, including good focused reviews, on biophysics and biological significance of lipid–protein interactions, ranging from the role of specific molecular interactions (cell signalling, modulation of enzyme activity, etc.) to the implications of general protein–lipid interactions on targeting of proteins during intracellular trafficking. However, a major part of the studies and the reviews are usually focused from the point of view of the effect of lipid–protein interactions on protein function. The present special issue collects 13 reviews and contributions devoted to analyzing the importance of lipid–protein interactions in modulating membrane structure. On a molecularly local scale, interaction of peptides and protein segments with membranes influences and modulates many of their essential structural properties, including fluidity, elasticity, lipid packing and lateral and transbilayer organization, thickness, and membrane permeability. Such membrane-modulating properties are the basis for the role of many proteins in promoting and regulating fundamental membrane-associated biological functions, starting from the biogenesis and maintenance of the large variety of specialized cell membranes.

A fist part of this special issue includes contributions addressing general properties of lipid–protein interactions with a special focus on membrane effects. The first three articles provide a revision of the general effects of peptides (articles by Khandelia et al. and Lins et al.) and proteins (article by Marsh) on membrane structure and properties, with a detailed description of the interplay between proteins and lipids in terms of common assembly and organization. Articles by Epand, Poveda et al., and Devaux et al. address the fundamental role of proteins in modulating organization of lipids in membranes, both laterally and transversally, illustrating how proteins can promote and maintain a rich diversity of lipid environments in membranes.

In the second part of the issue, particular examples are given of proteins whose function involves a strong membrane-perturbing character or is significantly modulated by membrane structure. The article by Faiâ et al. discusses binding properties of annexin A1 to membranes as a function of the presence of lateral membrane domains. The review by Iacovache et al. shows how different toxins alter permeability of target membranes by forming well-defined pores, and that by Lorizate et al. describes how specialized viral protein sequences have evolved to promote membrane fusion and fission. In a review by Võgler et al. the interplay between G proteins and membrane structure is described in detail, while the contribution of Vigh et al. discusses the potentials of the emergent field of membrane-associated stress proteins. Finally, two articles discuss in detail protein-promoted membrane organization in two specialized lipid/protein biological systems such as the myelin sheath (article by Rosetti et al.) and the pulmonary surfactant (article by Pérez-Gil).

I sincerely thank all the authors for their efforts in producing the solid contributions of this special issue, which I am confident will provide useful information and stimulating ideas to scientists in the membrane biophysics field.