Non‐Bilayer Structures in Membrane Fusion

Formation and function of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in mammalian cells

“…Mitochondria, particularly the inner membranes, are enriched in PE compared to other membranes and a decrease in the mitochondrial content of PE profoundly alters mitochondrial morphology in yeast [137], T. brucei [138] and mammalian cells [139] (Section 5.4). Convincing in vitro experimental evidence supports a role for PE, a cone-shaped lipid, in membrane fusion since PE has the tendency to form non-lamellar membrane structures and modulates membrane curvature [140][141][142][143]. Consistent with these findings, PE plays an important role in contractile ring disassembly at the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis of mammalian cells [144,145], and a lack of PE inhibits progression of the cell cycle in the parasite T. brucei, probably by impairing membrane fusion [138].…”

MALDI Imaging of Lipid Biochemistry in Tissues by Mass Spectrometry

“…PE lipids can hydrogen bond to proteins through the ionizable primary amine located on the head group and it is believed that PE exerts a lateral pressure in the membrane bilayer to stabilize membrane proteins in their optimal conformation. PE lipids play a role in membrane fusion and fission events, 77 which are thought to be related to the ability of PE to form hexagonal II phases in membranes. PE is also the precursor of anandamide, N -arachidonoylethanolamine, 78 which is a ligand for cannabinoid receptors in the brain.…”

Phosphatidylethanolamine Metabolism in Health and Disease

“…PE is the second most abundant phospholipid in the cell, comprising 15–25% of total phospholipids in mammalian cells (Vance, 2015). However, PE is not simply a passive membrane constituent but is functionally associated with protein biogenesis and activity (Becker et al, 2013; Bogdanov and Dowhan, 1995, 1998, 1999), oxidative phosphorylation (Bottinger et al, 2012; Tasseva et al, 2013), autophagy (Ichimura et al, 2000), membrane fusion (Verkleij et al, 1984), mitochondrial stability (Birner et al, 2001; Steenbergen et al, 2005; Storey et al, 2001), and is an important precursor of other lipids (Bremer and Greenberg, 1961; Menon and Stevens, 1992). …”