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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
Diacylglycerol causes major structural transitions in phospholipid bilayer membranes
Abstract:
We demonstrate for the first time that major structural changes are imposed on various phospholipid bilayers by diacylglycerol, a product of phosphatidylinositol metabolism. By 5 mole percent in phosphatidylethanolamine a lamellar to hexagonal transition starts that is complete at 10 mole percent. At 30 mole percent it causes the same transition in phosphatidylcholine and forms a cubic phase at 80 mole percent. Diacylglycerol disorders the phosphatidylserine lamellar phase. We view the formation of the non-lamellar phases as diagnostic of the destabilizations that diacylglycerol can cause in membranes. We suggest how DAG may act both in its specific activation of membrane enzymes and in inducing membrane fusion.
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