Open AccessGlycocalyx Curving the Membrane: Forces Emerging from the Cell Exterior
Author(s) -
Joe Chin-Hun Kuo,
Matthew J. Paszek
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
annual review of cell and developmental biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 11.094
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1530-8995
pISSN - 1081-0706
DOI - 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-120219-054401
Subject(s) - glycocalyx , membrane curvature , microbiology and biotechnology , glycoprotein , biology , glycan , biogenesis , microvesicles , cell membrane , biophysics , membrane , vesicle , membrane protein , secretion , extracellular , biochemistry , microrna , gene
Morphological transitions are typically attributed to the actions of proteins and lipids. Largely overlooked in membrane shape regulation is the glycocalyx, a pericellular membrane coat that resides on all cells in the human body. Comprised of complex sugar polymers known as glycans as well as glycosylated lipids and proteins, the glycocalyx is ideally positioned to impart forces on the plasma membrane. Large, unstructured polysaccharides and glycoproteins in the glycocalyx can generate crowding pressures strong enough to induce membrane curvature. Stress may also originate from glycan chains that convey curvature preference on asymmetrically distributed lipids, which are exploited by binding factors and infectious agents to induce morphological changes. Through such forces, the glycocalyx can have profound effects on the biogenesis of functional cell surface structures as well as the secretion of extracellular vesicles. In this review, we discuss recent evidence and examples of these mechanisms in normal health and disease.