lipidtoproteins

Lipidtoproteins is a nonstandard term used to describe proteins that interact with lipids through binding, covalent lipid attachment, or lipid transfer between membranes. The concept covers several functional classes: lipid-binding proteins that recognize specific lipids via lipid-binding domains; lipid-anchored proteins that are covalently linked to lipid moieties, which targets them to membranes; and lipid-transfer proteins that shuttle lipids between membranes or organelles.

Lipid-binding proteins often contain domains such as START, PH, or C2 and include various cytosolic and membrane-associated proteins that influence signaling and metabolism. Lipid-anchored proteins become associated with membranes through lipid modifications like GPI anchors, N-myristoylation, palmitoylation, or prenylation; this modification affects localization and function. Lipid-transfer proteins include families with START domains, Sec14-like modules, and oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP)–related proteins; they operate at membrane contact sites to move lipids non-vesicularly.

Biological roles of lipidtoproteins include shaping membrane composition, mediating lipid signaling, facilitating vesicle trafficking, and coordinating organelle biogenesis. Dysfunctions can contribute to metabolic diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer, among other conditions.

Research approaches employ lipid-binding assays, lipidomics, cross-linking mass spectrometry, fluorescence imaging, and cryo-electron microscopy to study localization, specificity, and dynamics. Because lipidtopoprotein is not universally adopted, in most literature the terms lipid-binding protein, lipid-anchored protein, and lipid-transfer protein are used for precision.