2022 Volume 62 Issue 3 Pages 170-174
Cellular membranes are composed of a complex lipid mixture that forms a membrane lipid environment, which establishes organelle identity and contributes to organelle function. Yet, how small-scale membrane environment organizes physiological events remains obscure. Our recent study shows that a nanoscale membrane lipid environment created by Osh lipid transfer proteins drives phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) activity and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] synthesis. In addition, we demonstrate that an amphipathic α-helix conserved in PIP5K serves as a lipid sensor for the nanoscale lipid environment.
