TMEM41B and VMP1, two endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident transmembrane proteins, play important roles in regulating the formation of lipid droplets (LDs), autophagy initiation, and viral infection. However, the biochemical functions of TMEM41B and VMP1 are unclear. A lipids distribution screen suggested TMEM41B and VMP1 are critical to the normal distribution of cholesterol and phosphatidylserine. Biochemical analyses unveiled that TMEM41B and VMP1 have scramblase activity. These findings shed light on the mechanism by which TMEM41B and VMP1 regulate LD formation, lipids distribution, macroautophagy, and viral infection.
Keywords: ER; TMEM41B; VMP1; lipid droplet; lipid transport; macroautophagy; scramblase; viral infection.