Glycolipids animal cells

Membranes of plant and animal cells are typically composed of 40-50 % lipids and 50-60% proteins. There are wide variations in the types of lipids and proteins as well as in their ratios. Arrangements of lipids and proteins in membranes are best considered in terms of the fluid-mosaic model, proposed by Singer and Nicolson % According to this model, the matrix of the membrane (a lipid bilayer composed of phospholipids and glycolipids) incorporates proteins, either on the surface or in the interior, and acts as permeability barrier (Fig. 2). Furthermore, other cellular functions such as recognition, fusion, endocytosis, intercellular interaction, transport, and osmosis are all membrane mediated processes. 

K. -A. Karlsson Glycolipids as receptors on animal cells for bacteria, bacterial... 

The role of glycolipids is still unclear. Certain glycolipid molecules may bind bacterial toxins, as well as bacterial cells, to animal cell membranes. For example, the toxins that cause cholera, tetanus, and botulism bind to glycolipid cell membrane receptors. Bacteria that have been shown to bind to glycolipid receptors include E. coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agents of urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, respectively. 

Table 6. Characterization of different glycolipid glucosyl- and Glucuronyl-transferases of animal cells.

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