Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanisms

Sugars are widely recognized for their ability to stabilize cell membranes during dehydration. However, the precise mechanisms by which sugars interact with lipid bilayers remain unclear. This mini-review synthesizes four key hypotheses explaining sugar-mediated protection of dehydrated bilayers: th...

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Main Authors: Zuo Qing, Gao Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2025-08-01
Series:Frigid Zone Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/fzm-2025-0011
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author Zuo Qing
Gao Cai
author_facet Zuo Qing
Gao Cai
author_sort Zuo Qing
collection DOAJ
description Sugars are widely recognized for their ability to stabilize cell membranes during dehydration. However, the precise mechanisms by which sugars interact with lipid bilayers remain unclear. This mini-review synthesizes four key hypotheses explaining sugar-mediated protection of dehydrated bilayers: the Water Replacement Hypothesis (WRH), Hydration Force Hypothesis (HFH), Headgroup Bridging Hypothesis (HBH), and Vitrification Hypothesis (VH). We argue that these mechanisms are not mutually exclusive but instead operate synergistically under different cellular contexts. We propose that these hypotheses are not mutually exclusive but likely operate under different cellular contexts. Future studies should prioritize the development of biologically realistic membrane models—incorporating diverse lipids, proteins, and asymmetric leaflets—to elucidate the exact roles and mechanisms of sugars in membrane stabilization. Such advancements will enhance our understanding of anhydrobiosis and inform cryopreservation strategies for mammalian cells.
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series Frigid Zone Medicine
spelling doaj-art-5c94b73f611b467fa40bfaae9960e9782025-08-25T06:10:32ZengDe GruyterFrigid Zone Medicine2719-80732025-08-015210811210.1515/fzm-2025-0011Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanismsZuo Qing0Gao Cai1Department of Refrigeration & Cryogenics Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei230009, ChinaDepartment of Refrigeration & Cryogenics Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei230009, ChinaSugars are widely recognized for their ability to stabilize cell membranes during dehydration. However, the precise mechanisms by which sugars interact with lipid bilayers remain unclear. This mini-review synthesizes four key hypotheses explaining sugar-mediated protection of dehydrated bilayers: the Water Replacement Hypothesis (WRH), Hydration Force Hypothesis (HFH), Headgroup Bridging Hypothesis (HBH), and Vitrification Hypothesis (VH). We argue that these mechanisms are not mutually exclusive but instead operate synergistically under different cellular contexts. We propose that these hypotheses are not mutually exclusive but likely operate under different cellular contexts. Future studies should prioritize the development of biologically realistic membrane models—incorporating diverse lipids, proteins, and asymmetric leaflets—to elucidate the exact roles and mechanisms of sugars in membrane stabilization. Such advancements will enhance our understanding of anhydrobiosis and inform cryopreservation strategies for mammalian cells.https://doi.org/10.1515/fzm-2025-0011protection mechanismphospholipid bilayerdehydrationsugars
spellingShingle Zuo Qing
Gao Cai
Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanisms
Frigid Zone Medicine
protection mechanism
phospholipid bilayer
dehydration
sugars
title Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanisms
title_full Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanisms
title_fullStr Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanisms
title_full_unstemmed Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanisms
title_short Sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer: A mini review on its protective mechanisms
title_sort sugars on dehydrated phospholipid bilayer a mini review on its protective mechanisms
topic protection mechanism
phospholipid bilayer
dehydration
sugars
url https://doi.org/10.1515/fzm-2025-0011
work_keys_str_mv AT zuoqing sugarsondehydratedphospholipidbilayeraminireviewonitsprotectivemechanisms
AT gaocai sugarsondehydratedphospholipidbilayeraminireviewonitsprotectivemechanisms