phosphatidylethanolamine acyl-chain remodeling

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Remodeling the acyl chains of phosphatidylethanolamine, through sequential deacylation and re-acylation reactions, to generate phosphatidylethanolamine containing different types of fatty acid acyl chains. [GOC:mw, PMID:18287005, PMID:18458083]

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) acyl-chain remodeling is a crucial process in maintaining membrane fluidity and regulating cellular signaling. It involves the exchange of fatty acyl chains on the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of PE, resulting in the formation of a diverse pool of PE species with varying acyl chain compositions. This dynamic remodeling is catalyzed by a group of enzymes, primarily lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPATs) and phospholipid scramblases.

The process begins with the hydrolysis of the sn-1 or sn-2 acyl chain of PE by phospholipases A1 or A2, respectively. This generates a lysophosphatidylethanolamine (lysoPE) intermediate. LPATs then catalyze the transfer of a fatty acyl chain from a donor lipid, such as diacylglycerol or acyl-CoA, to the sn-1 or sn-2 position of lysoPE, forming a new PE species.

Scramblases, on the other hand, play a role in translocating PE molecules between the outer and inner leaflets of the membrane. This movement allows for the exchange of acyl chains between different PE molecules, further contributing to the diversity of PE species.

Acyl-chain remodeling can influence the physical properties of membranes, such as fluidity and curvature. The saturation and length of the acyl chains affect the membrane's fluidity, with shorter and unsaturated chains leading to increased fluidity. This is important for membrane function, as it allows for the proper insertion and movement of proteins and other molecules within the membrane.

Furthermore, acyl-chain remodeling plays a role in cellular signaling by influencing the activity of various enzymes and receptors. For instance, changes in PE acyl chain composition can affect the activity of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC), a key enzyme involved in the generation of second messengers.

In summary, PE acyl-chain remodeling is a complex and dynamic process that is essential for maintaining membrane integrity and regulating cellular functions. It involves the hydrolysis, transfer, and exchange of fatty acyl chains on PE molecules, resulting in a diverse pool of PE species with varying properties that influence membrane fluidity, curvature, and signaling pathways.'
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Proteins (3)

Compounds (6)