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Review
. 2013 Oct;52(4):374-94.
doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.04.006. Epub 2013 Apr 28.

Checks and balances in membrane phospholipid class and acyl chain homeostasis, the yeast perspective

Anton I P M de Kroon  1 , Pieter J Rijken, Cedric H De Smet
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Checks and balances in membrane phospholipid class and acyl chain homeostasis, the yeast perspective

Anton I P M de Kroon et al. Prog Lipid Res. 2013 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

Glycerophospholipids are the most abundant membrane lipid constituents in most eukaryotic cells. As a consequence, phospholipid class and acyl chain homeostasis are crucial for maintaining optimal physical properties of membranes that in turn are crucial for membrane function. The topic of this review is our current understanding of membrane phospholipid homeostasis in the reference eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After introducing the physical parameters of the membrane that are kept in optimal range, the properties of the major membrane phospholipids and their contributions to membrane structure and dynamics are summarized. Phospholipid metabolism and known mechanisms of regulation are discussed, including potential sensors for monitoring membrane physical properties. Special attention is paid to processes that maintain the phospholipid class specific molecular species profiles, and to the interplay between phospholipid class and acyl chain composition when yeast membrane lipid homeostasis is challenged. Based on the reviewed studies, molecular species selectivity of the lipid metabolic enzymes, and mass action in acyl-CoA metabolism are put forward as important intrinsic contributors to membrane lipid homeostasis.

Keywords: Membrane fluidity; Membrane intrinsic curvature; Membrane sensors; Phospholipid biosynthesis; Phospholipid properties; Phospholipid turnover.

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