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Phospholipid flip-flop in biogenic membranes: what is needed to connect opposite sides
Matthijs A Kol1, Ben de Kruijff, Anton I P M de Kroon
1Department of Biochemistry of Membranes, Center for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology, Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.a.kol@chem.uu.nl
Abstract:
Phospholipids are synthesized in biogenic membranes, but only on one leaflet of the bilayer. To support balanced growth of the membrane, phospholipid translocation, or flip-flop, has to occur. Though consensus has been reached that flip-flop is most likely mediated by (a) membrane-associated protein(s), a dedicated flippase has not been identified yet in any biogenic membrane. The characteristics of the flip-flop process are summarized, and possible mechanisms, including the need for a dedicated flippase, are discussed.