Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying plasma membrane functionality and integrity

ABSTRACT The plasma membrane not only protects the cell from the extracellular environment, acting as a selective barrier, but also regulates cellular events that originate at the cell surface, playing a key role in various biological processes that are essential for the preservation of cell homeostasis. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of plasma membrane integrity and functionality is of utmost importance. Cells have developed mechanisms to ensure the quality of proteins that inhabit the cell surface, as well as strategies to cope with injuries inflicted to the plasma membrane. Defects in these mechanisms can lead to the development or onset of several diseases. Despite the importance of these processes, a comprehensive and holistic perspective of plasma membrane quality control is still lacking. To tackle this gap, in this Review, we provide a thorough overview of the mechanisms underlying the identification and targeting of membrane proteins that are to be removed from the cell surface, as well as the membrane repair mechanisms triggered in both physiological and pathological conditions. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying protein quality control at the plasma membrane can reveal promising and unanticipated targets for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.