Membrane lipids articles from across Nature Portfolio

The SMP domain of E-Syts is a newly identified lipid transfer module with unclear mechanisms. Here, authors show that it uses its tip region to associate with the extremely curved or negatively charged membranes to extract and unload lipids.

The function of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in adipocytes has been a mystery as it contributes little to fat storage in these cells. Here, the authors show that DNL is a critical source of fatty acids for membrane-expanding processes like autophagy.

Dumesnil et al. report that cholesterol esters (CE), which only melt above body temperature, form supercooled liquid crystalline lipid droplets (LD). Triacylglycerols (TG) solubilize CE to help CE LD nucleation. Through clustering TGs in the ER membrane, seipin controls CE LD nucleation sites.

M. pneumoniae, a model organism for a minimal cell, has a dedicated protein, namely P116, to specifically extract essential lipids. The structure of P116 has a previously unseen fold, resembling a left-handed baseball glove forming a huge hydrophobic cavity.

Inter-organellar contacts are hubs for several critical cellular processes, such as lipid synthesis. Here Ganji et al. show that the p97-UBXD8 complex modulates contacts by regulating membrane lipid composition and saturation.

Ferroptosis is cell death caused by lipid peroxidation and plasma membrane rupture. Here, the authors report an additional role for the lipid flippase SLC47A1 as a regulator of lipid remodeling and survival during ferroptosis, thereby providing a metabolic target for overcoming drug resistance.