Flippase

Flippases (rarely, flipases) are enzymes located in the membrane responsible for aiding the movement of phospholipid molecules between the two leaflets that compose a cell's membrane (transverse diffusion). Their existence was predicted in 1972 by Mark Bretscher, who also named them, to explain how an asymmetric phospholipid bilayer could be formed. Although phospholipids diffuse rapidly in the plane of the membrane, their polar head groups cannot pass easily through the hydrophobic center of the bilayer, limiting their diffusion in this dimension. Phospholipid molecules that are synthesized in the cell are incorporated into the cytoplasmic face of the membrane, where flippases can transfer them to the exoplasmic face. Flippases require energy input in the form of ATP to carry out their function, often known as a flip-flop.Lodish, H, Berk A, Matsudaira P, Kaiser CA, Krieger M, Scott MP, Zipursky SL, Darnell J. (2004). Molecular Cell Biology, 5th, New York: WH Freeman.]

Many cells maintain asymmetric distributions of phospholipids between their cytoplasmic and exoplasmic membrane leaflets. The loss of asymmetry, particularly the appearance of the anionic phospholipid phosphatidylserine on the exoplasmic face, can serve as an early indicator of apoptosis.Castegna A, Lauderback CM, Mohmmad-Abdul H, Butterfield DA. (2004). Modulation of phospholipid asymmetry in synaptosomal membranes by the lipid peroxidation products, 4-hydroxynonenal and acrolein: implications for Alzheimer's disease. "Brain Res" 1004(1-2):193-7.] This effect has been observed in neurons as a response to exposure to amyloid beta peptides, thought to be a primary cause of the neurodegenerative effects of Alzheimer's disease.Mohmmad Abdul H, Butterfield DA. (2005). Protection against amyloid beta-peptide (1-42)-induced loss of phospholipid asymmetry in synaptosomal membranes by tricyclodecan-9-xanthogenate (D609) and ferulic acid ethyl ester: implications for Alzheimer's disease. "Biochim Biophys Acta" 1741(1-2):140-8.]

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External links

* - Positions of lipid flippases in membranes