Membrane lipids and cell signaling

Abstract

Purpose of review Reception and transmission of signals across the plasma membrane has been a function generally attributed to transmembrane proteins. In the last three years, however, a growing number of reports have further acknowledged important contributions played by membrane lipids in the process of signal transduction. Recent findings In particular, the constituency of membrane lipids can regulate how proteins with SH2 domains and molecules like K-Ras expose their catalytic domains to the cytosol and interact with effectors and second messengers. Recent reports have also shown that the degree of saturation of phospholipids can reduce the activation of certain G-protein coupled receptors, as well as signaling downstream to Toll-like receptor 4 with consequences to NFkB activation and inflammation. Levels of specific gangliosides in the membrane were reported to activate integrins in a cell-autonomous manner affecting tumor cell migration. Furthermore, high resolution of the association of cholesterol with the Smoothened receptor has clarified its participation in sonic hedgehog signaling. These are some of the key advancements that have further propelled our understanding of the broad versatile contributions of membrane lipids in signal transduction. Summary As we gain definitive detail regarding the impact of lipid-protein interactions and their consequences to cell function, the options for therapeutic targeting expand with the possibility of greater specificity.

Correlated protein conformational states and membrane dynamics during attack by pore-forming toxins

“…In this work, we explicitly bring out this connection using combined FRET, FCS, and all-atom MD simulations to probe the correlated conformational transitions of the protein on the membrane and the concomitant lipid dynamics which determine leakage kinetics. Our study has broader implications in connecting downstream signaling events modulated by membrane-protein-binding events and lipid reorganization known to play an important role in signal transduction in cells (34).…”

Activity Mapping the Acyl Carrier Protein - Elongating Ketosynthase Interaction in Fatty Acid Biosynthesis

“…-INTRODUCTION-Fatty acid biosynthesis (FAB) is a primary metabolic pathway in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, serving as a central biosynthetic hub for precursors utilized in membrane development and homeostasis, energy storage, cofactor biosynthesis, and signaling. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] FAB involves the iterative condensation and reduction of two carbon acetyl-CoA derived units, with each round of chain elongation requiring four separate chemical reactions. (Figure 1a).…”

Advanced Near‐Infrared Light for Monitoring and Modulating the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cell Functions in Living Systems

“…Membrane electrical activity of cells involved in a variety of cellular processes such as cell signaling, cell–cell communication, and ion conductivity. [ 97,98 ] In particular, the membrane electrical activity of neural cells controls the basic functions of the brain. Thus, monitoring the electrical activity of neural cells is of great importance for evaluating how the nervous system works and how neurodegenerative diseases develop.…”