Lipid transfer and signaling at organelle contact sites: The tip of the iceberg

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

171 Scopus citations

Abstract

Membrane contact sites (MCSs) are formed by the close apposition of membranes of two organelles. They are zones where signals and small molecules, such as lipids and calcium, are exchanged between intracellular compartments. The past few years have seen considerable progress in our understanding of how MCSs form and facilitate the exchange of lipids and signals. Here we summarize what has been learned about MCSs between the endoplamic reticulum (ER) and the plasma membrane, the ER and mitochondria, and the ER and endosomes or lysosomes. These findings suggest that we are just beginning to understand how MCSs form and function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)458-463
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Cell Biology
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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