Membrane and Cell Biology
Official journal homepage:
ISSN (print): 0233-4755
Media registration certificate: ПИ № ФС 77 – 77276 от 05.12.2019
Founder: Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)
Editor-in-Chief: Kolesnikov Stanislav Sergeevich
Number of issues per year: 6
Indexation: RISC, RISC Core, Higher Attestation Commission list, RSCI, White List (3d level), Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection (Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE))
The journal publishes both original experimental and theoretical works and reviews that highlight the physicochemical aspects of membrane and cell biology: molecular mechanisms of membrane transport, receptor systems and intracellular signaling, cellular functions and pathologies associated with cell membranes, as well as fundamental biomedical research, including those devoted to membrane aspects of physiology, pharmacology, and immunology.
The journal was founded in 1984.
Current Issue
Open Access
Access granted
Subscription Access
Vol 43, No 1 (2026)
Articles
Transmembrane Proton Transfer in Chloroplasts in Silico: pH Homeostasis of Lumen, Stroma, and Cytosol
Abstract
The research described in this paper is based on a mathematical model of the light stages of photosynthesis, which considers the processes of electron and proton transport in chloroplasts. It examines the redox transformations of the photoreaction centers PS I (P700), PS II (P680) and other electron transport chain carriers–ferredoxin (Fd), plastoquinone (PQ) and plastocyanin (Pc)–as well as the transmembrane proton transport associated with electron transport and ATP synthesis by membrane ATP synthase. The simulation results are in good agreement with the literature data on pH measurements in the lumen (pHin) and stroma (pHout) of chloroplasts at different cytosol pH values (pHcyt). The steady-state pH values established in these compartments when chloroplasts are illuminated under photophosphorylation conditions satisfy the following inequalities: pHin ≈ 6.2–6.4 < pHcyt ≈ 7.2–7.4 < pHout ≈ 7.8–8.0. Variation of the pHcyt model parameter affects the electron flows carried by different electron transport pathways, such as non-cyclic electron transport from PS II to PS I and further into the Calvin–Benson cycle, cyclic electron transport around PS I, and pseudocyclic electron transport involving molecular oxygen (the “water – water” cycle). It has also been shown that sufficiently strong acidification of the cytosol (pHcyt < 7) reduces electron efflux from the acceptor side of PS I (non-cyclic and pseudocyclic electron transport) and stimulates cyclic electron transport around PS I, and also decreases the rate of pH-dependent ATP synthesis.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):3-17
3-17
Changes in Blood Rheological Properties during Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion and Treatment
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia, a leading cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide, is a critical condition in which impaired blood flow leads to oxygen deprivation and damage to nervous tissue. A key factor contributing to both cerebrovascular accidents and the development of reperfusion syndrome is changes in blood rheology. Cerebral ischemia is accompanied by significant hemorheological changes that exacerbate the disease. These include increased blood viscosity, increased red blood cell and platelet aggregation, and decreased red blood cell deformability. These changes lead to decreased blood flow, particularly in microcirculation, and promote thrombus formation, thereby increasing the volume of the ischemic lesion. The severity of these disturbances correlates with the severity of neurological disorders. Our study aims to investigate changes in blood rheology during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Using osmotic gradient ektacytometry, we studied the deformability of rat erythrocytes during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in the presence of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which plays a key role in protecting cells from hypoxia, ischemia, and oxidative stress. Our results suggest that IGF-1 positively influences the reduced deformability of erythrocytes during ischemia/reperfusion, restoring it to control values.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):18–25
18–25
The Role of Lipid Rafts in the Regulation of Piezo1 Channels in C2C12 Myoblasts
Abstract
Piezo1 channels are mechanically activated (MA) cation channels that play an important role in skeletal muscle physiology. However, the specific mechanisms of Piezo1 regulation in skeletal muscle are not yet fully understood. At the same time, the activity of different ion channels is known to be dependent on lipid rafts, which are dynamic microdomains in the cell membrane enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of lipid rafts in the muscle-specific regulation of Piezo1 using a cholesterol-removing agent, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD), and the sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in a C2C12 myoblast model. Fluorescence labeling and intracellular calcium measurements demonstrated that the disruption of lipid rafts with MβCD resulted in disassembly of the initially present actin cytoskeleton in C2C12 cells and decreased Piezo1-mediated Ca2+ influx into the cells. In contrast, stimulation of myoblasts with S1P resulted in increased formation of lipid rafts and actin stress fibers, as well as enhanced Ca2+ influx through Piezo1 channels. These findings suggest the involvement of lipid rafts in the regulation of Piezo1 activity in C2C12 myoblasts, which may be mediated by lipid raft components themselves and/or by lipid raft-induced rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):26-39
26-39
Extracellular Action Potentials of Subepicardial Intact Cardiomyocytes of the Heart of Active and Hibernating Little Ground Squirrels Spermophilus pygmaeus
Abstract
Hibernation is an important adaptive strategy for survival in adverse environmental conditions, including temperature reduction. The heart of hibernating animal species is quite resistant to cold-induced arrhythmia. However, the cellular basis of hibernating mechanisms has not been fully studied. One of the possible mechanisms of protection from cold-induced arrhythmias during hibernation is the remodeling of ion channels in cardiomyocytes, which can be accompanied by remodeling of the T-system. Therefore, the aim of this work was to compare the electrophysiological parameters of the heart of the little ground squirrel S. pygmaeus during the periods of activity and hibernation. To achieve this goal, extracellular action potentials (eAPs) were recorded. The eAPs of the ground squirrel heart are signals of two types: eAP1 from the sarcolemma areas free of the T-tubule openings, and eAP2 from the areas including the T-tubule openings. During the hibernation period statistically significant changes in the eAPprofiles are observed, manifested in a decrease in the amplitude of the second peak of eAP2, an increase in the duration of the decay to 90% (T90) in eAP1 and its shortening in eAP2. In addition, in hibernating ground squirrels, the profiles of both eAP types are accompanied by a significantly increased phase of afterhyperpolarization (AHP). Substantial changes during hibernation are also observed in the ratio of the eAP1 and eAP2 towards an increase in the number of eAP1. Similar changes in the ratio of different types of eAPs, shown by us for rats with type I diabetes mellitus, were associated with changes in the T-tubule system. However, preliminary results of studying ground squirrel hearts with confocal microscopy did not reveal visible differences in the organization of the T-system. This presumably indicates that hibernating ground squirrels have a considerably lower density of functional T-tubules due to a decrease in the density of ion channels in the T-system membrane.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):40-48
40-48
GHR Gene Expression in Hen Hierarchical Follicles Is Dependent on Age, Reproductive Senescence, and the Sensitivity to the Preovulatory Surge of Reproductive Hormones
Abstract
The expression of growth hormone (GH) receptors depends on numerous factors, including ontogenetic and endocrine ones. In domestic hens (Gallus domesticus), a short-term increase in the blood levels of reproductive hormones observed in each ovulatory cycle causes a rise in the concentration of GH receptors in the granulosa layer of hierarchical follicles. However, it remains unclear whether this change is related to an increase in the content of the corresponding mRNA. We performed a comparative study of the expression of the GH receptor gene (GHR) in granulosa and theca cells of two largest preovulatory follicles F1 and F2 at different stages of the ovulatory cycle depending on the hen age and reproductive aging. Three groups of birds were used in experiments: young hens with long egg clutches (YLC), old hens with long clutches (OLC), and old hens with short clutches (OSC). The expression level of the GHR gene in follicular cells was assessed by the content of the GH receptor mRNA, which was determined by real-time reverse transcription-PCR, followed by the data analysis using the 2–ΔΔCt method. A significant rise (p < 0.05) in the content of the studied mRNA in granulosa cells from the largest hierarchical follicle F1 was found in OLC hens during the preovulatory hormonal surge, compared to the middle of the ovulatory cycle. These birds also showed a higher (p < 0.001–0.01) expression of GHR in the granulosa layer of F1 and F2 follicles at both stages of the ovulatory cycle compared with YLC and OSC groups. In addition, in OLC hens, the hormone preovulatory surge increased (p < 0.01) the relative level of GH receptor mRNA in theca cells of F2 follicles. Concurrently, the highest content of GHR transcripts in the thecal layer of F2 follicles was observed in YLC hens in the middle of the ovulatory cycle and in OLC hens during the preovulatory surge (p < 0.01–0.05). The findings suggest that the increase in the GHR gene expression in granulosa cells of large hierarchical follicles, especially under the influence of the preovulatory surge of reproductive hormones on F1 follicles, may have a compensatory significance for maintaining a high egg laying intensity in aged hens.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):49-57
49-57
Free Sterols of Young Needles of Some Species of the Genus Picea during the Period of Active Growth
Abstract
Using the method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, a comparative analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of free sterols in the tissues of young growing needles of native (two varieties of Siberian spruce: Picea obovata and P. obovata var. coerulea) and introduced (P. abies, P. pungens) species of the genus Picea growing in the Southern Baikal region was carried out depending on the development phase. The absolute weight of total lipids in the four studied taxa at different growth stages differed and had a species-specific character. It was shown that at the transition boundary between the phases of needle growth (intercalary and cell growth by extension), lipid content increased in all the studied spruce species. Among the free sterols, the main common ∆5-sterols were found, namely β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and cholesterol. The dominant sterol for all the studied taxa was β-sitosterol, its content was 80–95% of the total free sterols. It was shown that for the introduced (non-indigenous) species, the maximum β-sitosterol content occurred during the period of cell growth by stretching, and for the native spruces, the maximum values of β-sitosterol content were found during the period of intercalary growth. It was found that at the beginning of needle formation (intercalary growth), high sterol content is necessary, and it decreases as the needles grow and develop. A decrease in sterol content may be associated with their use as a substrate in the synthesis of other compounds; for example, β-sitosterol and campesterol are precursors of brassinosteroids. In general, the temporal dynamics of sterol composition changes and the progression of active needle growth phases differed between introduced and native spruce species.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):58-70
58-70
Effect of Selenium and Arabinogalactan Nanocomposites on the Fatty Acid Composition of the Clavibacter sepedonicus Membrane
Abstract
The phytopathogenic gram-positive bacterium Clavibacter sepedonicus (Cms) causes potato ring rot disease, which causes significant economic losses. Currently, there are no effective agents for regulating the abundance of this bacterium. Previously, the authors of this article showed that selenium and arabinogalactan nanocomposites (Se/AG NCs) can cause changes in the morphology of the Cms cells, leading to their destruction. As a probable mechanism of antibacterial action of NC, it has been suggested that NCs affect the composition of fatty acids (FAs) in the membrane lipids of the studied phytopathogen. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Se/AG NCs (with Se content of 3.4% and 6.4%) and their precursors on the qualitative FA composition of the Cms membrane lipids using chromatography-mass spectrometry. A unique FA profile of Cms is revealed, which is represented by 17 FA containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms. Low levels of unsaturated FAs and high levels of branched-chain FAs (iso- and anteiso-fatty acids) were noted. The content of iso-FAs in Cms significantly increased after the treatment of the bacteria with Se/AG NCs and their precursors. Indirect assessment of the activity of acyl-lipid ω9-, ω6-, and ω3-desaturases showed an increase in their activity under the action of NCs. Exposure to Se/AG NCs increased the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids and increased the fluidity of the Cms membranes; the higher the selenium content in NCs, the higher the sum of unsaturated and branched fatty acids. We suggest that the change in the FA composition induced by Se/AG NCs may be one of the possible mechanisms of the antibacterial action of these nanocomposites.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):71-81
71-81
Cells of Azulene-Containing Plants: Spectral Studies
Abstract
The spectral study of the surface and isolated organelles of cells of azulene-containing plants of temperate climate, dry and humid subtropics of Russia was carried out. The presence of azulenes in leaves, flower petals, nuclei, and chloroplasts was detected, which was assessed by the appearance of blue color and characteristic maxima in the region of 580–640 nm in the absorbance spectra and 405–430 nm in the fluorescence spectra. These data were confirmed in experiments on extracts of these hydrophobic pigments obtained with acetone or ethanol. The pigments were extracted from the surface and from the inside of the leaves after infusing of intact leaves or isolated organelles (nuclei and chloroplasts) for 10 min or 24 h, respectively, then chromatographic purification of the azulene fraction from chlorophyll was done. The results obtained may be of interest for cellular monitoring of azulene-containing plants that may be useful for pharmacology.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2026;43(1):82-92
82-92