The typically distinct phospholipid composition of the two leaflets of a membrane bilayer is generated and maintained by bi-directional transport (flip-flop) of lipids between the leaflets. Specific membrane proteins, termed lipid flippases, play an essential role in this transport process. Energy-independent flippases allow common phospholipids to equilibrate rapidly between the two monolayers and also play a role in the biosynthesis of a variety of glycoconjugates such as glycosphingolipids, N-glycoproteins, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins. ATP-dependent flippases, including members of a conserved subfamily of P-type ATPases and ATP-binding cassette transporters, mediate the net transfer of specific phospholipids to one leaflet of a membrane and are involved in the creation and maintenance of transbilayer lipid asymmetry of membranes such as the plasma membrane of eukaryotes. Energy-dependent flippases also play a role in the biosynthesis of glycoconjugates such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide. This review summarizes recent progress on the identification and characterization of the various flippases and the demonstration of their biological functions.
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Similar content being viewed by others Explore related subjectsDiscover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning. Author information Authors and AffiliationsInstitute of Biology/Biophysics, Humboldt University Berlin, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
T. Pomorski
Department of Biochemistry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021-4896, USA
A. K. Menon
Correspondence to T. Pomorski.
Additional informationReceived 12 April 2006; received after revision 22 June 2006; accepted 30 August 2006
About this article Cite this articlePomorski, T., Menon, A.K. Lipid flippases and their biological functions. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 63, 2908–2921 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-006-6167-7
Published: 13 November 2006
Issue Date: December 2006
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-006-6167-7
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