Cellular Compartments Challenged By Membrane Photo-Oxidation

The lipid composition impacts directly on the structure and function of the cytoplasmic as well as organelle membranes. Depending on the type of membrane, specific lipids are required to accommodate, intercalate, or pack membrane proteins to the proper functioning of the cells/organelles. Rather than being only a physical barrier that separates the inner from the outer spaces, membranes are responsible for many biochemical events such as cell-to-cell communication, protein-lipid interaction, intracellular signaling, and energy storage. Photochemical reactions occur naturally in many biological membranes and are responsible for diverse processes such as photosynthesis and vision/phototaxis. However, excessive exposure to light in the presence of absorbing molecules produces excited states and other oxidant species that may cause cell aging/death, mutations and innumerable diseases including cancer. At the same time, targeting key compartments of diseased cells with light can be a promising strategy to treat many diseases in a clinical procedure called Photodynamic Therapy. Here we analyze the relationships between membrane alterations induced by photo-oxidation and the biochemical responses in mammalian cells. We specifically address the impact of photosensitization reactions in membranes of different organelles such as mitochondria, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, and plasma membrane, and the subsequent responses of eukaryotic cells.