Lipid membrane domains in cell surface and vacuolar systems

Glycoconj J. 2000 Mar-Apr;17(3 -4):163-71. doi: 10.1023/a:1026528921085.

Abstract

Detergent insoluble sphingolipid-cholesterol enriched 'raft'-like membrane microdomains have been implicated in a variety of biological processes including sorting, trafficking, and signaling. Mutant cells and knockout animals of sphingolipid biosynthesis are clearly useful to understand the biological roles of lipid components in raft-like domains. It is suggested that raft-like domains distribute in internal vacuolar membranes as well as plasma membranes. In addition to sphingolipid-cholesterol-rich membrane domains, recent studies suggest the existence of another lipid-membrane domain in the endocytic pathway. This domain is enriched with a unique phospholipid, lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA) and localized in the internal membrane of multivesicular endosome. LBPA-rich membrane domains are involved in lipid and protein sorting within the endosomal system. Possible interaction between sphingolipids and LBPA in sphingolipid-storage disease is discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Glucosylceramides / metabolism
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Lipids / genetics
  • Membrane Lipids / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Sphingolipids / metabolism*
  • Vacuoles / metabolism*

Substances

  • Glucosylceramides
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Sphingolipids