Ilya Levental

Cell surface remodeling caused by the loss of flippase subunit TMEM30A in immune cells

This study investigates the effects of TMEM30A loss on immune cell membrane dynamics, revealing PS externalization, proteome reorganization, and glycocalyx remodeling with implications for immune therapy.

Large-scale endoplasmic reticulum membrane solidification spatially organizes proteins under thermal or metabolic stress

The paper identifies a temperature- and lipid saturation-dependent transformation of ER membranes into rigid tubes under stress, driven by lipid demixing and protein segregation.

Apical and basolateral plasma membranes in epithelial cells have distinct lipidomes and biophysical properties

The paper isolates and compares apical and basolateral membranes in epithelial cells, revealing distinct lipid compositions and biophysical properties, and challenges the role of lipid rafts in apical sorting.

Ether lipids influence cancer cell fate by modulating iron uptake

This study shows that ether lipids in cancer cells regulate membrane properties to influence iron uptake, ferroptosis, and metastasis, offering a therapeutic target.

Intrahepatic crystals from elevated dietary cholesterol are sufficient to stiffen the liver

This study shows that elevated dietary cholesterol in rats leads to liver lipid crystals, which increase tissue stiffness and fibrosis progression in a model of MASLD.

DeFrND: detergent-free reconstitution into native nanodiscs with designer membrane scaffold peptides

This paper introduces DeFrNDs, detergent-free nanodiscs made with engineered membrane scaffold peptides, enabling high-resolution structural analysis of membrane proteins in native lipid environments.

Caveolin assemblies displace one bilayer leaflet to organize and bend membranes

This paper investigates how the CAV1-8S caveolin complex interacts with lipid membranes through a novel leaflet replacement mechanism, revealing its role in membrane curvature and organization.

Nitrosation of CD36 regulates endothelial function and serum lipids

The paper shows nitrosation of CD36 by nitric oxide prevents endothelial lipid uptake and maintains function in obesity.

The transmembrane domain of the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein-1 governs lipid raft association to promote desmosome adhesive strength

This study identifies the biophysical properties of desmoglein-1 transmembrane domains as key determinants of lipid raft association and desmosome adhesive function.