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Fluorescence-Based Measurements of Phosphatidylserine/Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate Exchange Between Membranes
Published on: March 14, 2021
Structure and function of phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP)/StarD2.
Keishi Kanno1, Michele K Wu, Erez F Scapa
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP) research in Pctp(-/-) mice challenges its known roles. However, these mice show lipid homeostasis defects, offering new insights into PC-TP
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP) is a lipid transfer protein within the START domain superfamily.
- Its in vitro functions are known, but in vivo roles remain unclear.
- PC-TP's structure and biochemical properties are well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo functions of Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC-TP).
- To understand the biological roles of PC-TP by studying Pctp gene-disrupted mice.
Main Methods:
- Studies involving mice with homozygous disruption of the Pctp gene (Pctp(-/-) mice).
- Analysis of lipid homeostasis and other physiological parameters in Pctp(-/-) mice.
Main Results:
- Homozygous disruption of Pctp largely refuted roles in biliary phospholipid transport, lung surfactant production, leukotriene biosynthesis, and cellular phosphatidylcholine metabolism.
- Pctp(-/-) mice display significant defects in overall lipid homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- The in vivo functions of PC-TP are not as previously hypothesized.
- Observed lipid homeostasis defects in Pctp(-/-) mice provide a new avenue for elucidating PC-TP's biological functions.
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