Abstract

The asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in cell membranes has been the focus of a lot of important research keeping its biological importance in mind. Most of this research is focused on phosphatidylserine (PS) since it is an apoptotic marker, and there is a robust and easy method available its selective quantification. The aim of this commentary is to argue in favour of another highly abundant membrane lipid, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) almost always associated with PS. PE has one of the smallest headgroups and shows distinctly asymmetric transbilayer distribution. It is a neutral aminophospholipid and capable of a vastly wider range of interactions as seen in its unique ability to act as a molecular chaperone, implicated role in disease biology and its possible role as an anti-cancer target. There are ample evidences to the fact that PE may also bind to Annexin V (ANV), the PS-specific probe, at higher than 10 mol% PE concentrations and absence of Ca²⁺ ions. An update of the major takeaways from the literature regarding PE asymmetry is also provided.

Graphic Abstract

中文翻译：

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生物膜中的磷脂不对称：磷脂酰乙醇胺的作用是否被低估？

摘要

细胞膜中磷脂的不对称分布一直是许多重要研究的焦点，并牢记其生物学重要性。这项研究的大部分集中在磷脂酰丝氨酸 (PS) 上，因为它是一种凋亡标记物，并且有一种可靠且简单的方法可以对其进行选择性量化。这篇评论的目的是支持另一种高度丰富的膜脂，磷脂酰乙醇胺 (PE)，几乎总是与 PS 相关。PE 具有最小的头组之一，并显示出明显不对称的跨双层分布。它是一种中性氨基磷脂，能够进行更广泛的相互作用，这体现在其作为分子伴侣的独特能力、在疾病生物学中的作用以及作为抗癌靶点的可能作用。²⁺离子。还提供了有关 PE 不对称性文献的主要内容的更新。

图形摘要