Characterization of micron-scale protein-depleted plasma membrane domains in phosphatidylserine-deficient yeast cells

ABSTRACT Membrane phase separation to form micron-scale domains of lipids and proteins occurs in artificial membranes; however, a similar large-scale has not been reported the plasma membrane living cells. We show here that stable protein-depleted region is generated yeast mutants lacking phosphatidylserine at high temperatures. named this ‘void zone’. Transmembrane certain peripheral phospholipids are excluded from void zone. The zone rich ergosterol, requires ergosterol sphingolipids for its formation. Such properties also found cholesterol-enriched phase-separated membranes, but novel domain energy various cellular functions formation indicates cells potential undergo with lipid compositions. zones were frequently contact vacuoles, which was formed site. This article an associated First Person interview first author paper.