RBG Motif Bridge-Like Lipid Transport Proteins: Structure, Functions, and Open Questions
Published July 5, 2023
Output Details
Published July 5, 2023
Description
The life of eukaryotic cells requires the transport of lipids between membranes, which are separated by the aqueous environment of the cytosol.
Vesicle-mediated traffic along the secretory and endocytic pathways and
lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) cooperate in this transport. Until recently,
known LTPs were shown to carry one or a few lipids at a time and were
thought to mediate transport by shuttle-like mechanisms. Over the last few
years, a new family of LTPs has been discovered that is defined by a repeating β-groove (RBG) rod-like structure with a hydrophobic channel running
along their entire length. This structure and the localization of these proteins at membrane contact sites suggest a bridge-like mechanism of lipid
transport. Mutations in some of these proteins result in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we review the known properties and well-established or
putative physiological roles of these proteins, and we highlight the many
questions that remain open about their functions.
Identifier (DOI)
10.1146/annurev-cellbio-120420-014634
