Lipid remodeling during phosphate starvation in plants: from metabolism to inter-organelle lipid transport

Phosphate (Pi) starvation triggers extensive membrane lipid remodeling in plants, in which phospholipids are degraded and replaced by phosphorus-free glycolipids to recycle Pi while preserving membrane integrity. Although the metabolic pathways underlying this process have been extensively studied, the mechanisms coordinating lipid trafficking between organelles remain poorly understood. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of lipid metabolism during Pi starvation, including glycolipid synthesis, phospholipid and sphingolipid degradation, and triacylglycerol accumulation. We then discuss recent advances highlighting the emerging role of lipid transport in membrane remodeling. Finally, we highlight the major unanswered questions regarding the spatial organization of lipid remodeling and the molecular mechanisms linking lipid degradation, synthesis, and inter-organelle transport. Understanding these processes will be essential for building an integrated view of plant adaptation to phosphate limitation and for improving phosphorus-use efficiency in crops.