Arabidopsis as a genetic model for interorganelle lipid trafficking.

Abstract

In eukaryotic cells the biosynthesis of membrane lipids often occurs in subcellular compartments different from their final destination. This raises a fundamental question: How are membrane lipids transported between organelles and across membranes? The intricate compartmentalization of plant lipid metabolism provides promising opportunities for the mechanistic analysis of interorganelle lipid trafficking. In plants the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the chloroplast envelopes participate in the biosynthesis of the lipids of photosynthetic membranes. As a consequence, trafficking of lipid precursors between these two membrane systems is substantial. As will be discussed below, Arabidopsis represents an excellent plant model to dissect this process genetically and may provide experimental access to a better mechanistic understanding of interorganelle lipid trafficking in general.