Phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins and cellular nanoreactors for lipid signaling

Nat Chem Biol. 2006 Nov;2(11):576-83. doi: 10.1038/nchembio835.

Abstract

Membrane lipids function as structural molecules, reservoirs for second messengers, membrane platforms that scaffold protein assembly and regulators of enzymes and ion channels. Such diverse lipid functions contribute substantially to cellular mechanisms for fine-tuning membrane-signaling events. Meaningful coordination of these events requires exquisite spatial and temporal control of lipid metabolism and organization, and reliable mechanisms for specifically coupling these parameters to dedicated physiological processes. Recent studies suggest such integration is linked to the action of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins that operate at the interface of the metabolism, trafficking and organization of specific lipids.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Humans
  • Membrane Lipids / chemistry
  • Membrane Lipids / metabolism
  • Membrane Lipids / physiology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / chemistry
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / genetics
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Membrane Lipids
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins