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Recent progress on acyl CoA: lysophospholipid acyltransferase research
Hideo Shindou1, Daisuke Hishikawa, Takeshi Harayama
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. hshindou-tky@umin.ac.jp
Journal of Lipid Research
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Cellular membranes achieve asymmetry and diversity through the Lands' cycle, involving lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPLATs). Recent discoveries identify AGPAT and MBOAT enzymes critical for this remodeling pathway.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cellular membranes are composed of lipids and proteins, with glycerophospholipids playing key structural and functional roles.
- Glycerophospholipids exhibit fatty acid asymmetry, with polyunsaturated fatty acids predominantly at the sn-2 position.
- Two pathways, the Kennedy pathway and the Lands' cycle, are involved in glycerophospholipid synthesis and remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cloning and characterization of enzymes involved in the Lands' cycle.
- To highlight the role of lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPLATs) in generating membrane asymmetry and diversity.
- To discuss recent advances in understanding the enzymes responsible for glycerophospholipid remodeling.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of enzymes from the 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase (AGPAT) family.
- Identification and characterization of enzymes from the membrane bound O-acyltransferases (MBOAT) family.
- Focus on cloning and functional studies of lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPLATs).
Main Results:
- Enzymes from the AGPAT and MBOAT families have been identified as key players in the Lands' cycle.
- These enzymes facilitate the deacylation-reacylation cycles essential for membrane remodeling.
- Lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPLATs) are crucial for establishing and maintaining membrane asymmetry and diversity.
Conclusions:
- Recent discoveries have significantly advanced the understanding of the Lands' cycle.
- LPLATs, including those from AGPAT and MBOAT families, are vital for cellular membrane homeostasis.
- Further research into these enzymes promises deeper insights into membrane biogenesis and function.
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