title: Role of surfactant protein A (SP-A)/lipid interactions for SP-A functions in the lung.
abstract: Surfactant protein A (SP-A), an oligomeric glycoprotein, is a member of a group of proteins named collectins that contain collagen-like and Ca(2+)-dependent carbohydrate recognition domains. SP-A interacts with a broad range of amphipathic lipids (glycerophospholipids, sphingophospholipids, glycosphingolipids, lipid A, and lipoglycans) that are present in surfactant or microbial membranes. This review summarizes SP-A/lipid interaction studies regarding the lipid system used (i.e., phospholipid vesicles, phospholipid monolayers, and lipids immobilized on silica or adsorbed on a solid support). The effect of calcium, ionic strength, and pH on the binding of SP-A to lipids and the subsequent lipid aggregation process is discussed. Current evidence suggests that hydrophobic-binding forces are involved in the peripherical association of SP-A to membranes. It is also proposed that fluid and liquid-ordered phase coexistence in surfactant membranes might favor partition of SP-A into those membranes. The binding of SP-A to surfactant membranes containing hydrophobic surfactant peptides makes possible the formation of a membrane reservoir in the alveolar fluid that is protected by SP-A against inactivation and improves the rate of surfactant film formation. In addition, the interaction of SP-A with membranes might enhance the affinity of SP-A for terminal carbohydrates of glycolipids or glycoproteins on the surface of invading microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain. casals@solea.quim.ucm.es
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casals
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008024:Ligands; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D011510:Proteolipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D010743:Phospholipids; D011510:Proteolipids; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D037661:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D002118:Calcium