title: Chemical control of phospholipid distribution across bilayer membranes.
abstract: Most biological membranes possess an asymmetric transbilayer distribution of phospholipids. Endogenous enzymes expend energy to maintain the arrangement by promoting the rate of phospholipid translocation, or flip-flop. Researchers have discovered ways to modify this distribution through the use of chemicals. This review presents a critical analysis of the phospholipid asymmetry data in the literature followed by a brief overview of the maintenance and physiological consequences of phospholipid asymmetry, and finishes with a list of chemical ways to alter phospholipid distribution by enhancement of flip-flop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5670, USA.
authors.forename: J Middleton
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Boon
authors.forename: Bradley D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010743:Phospholipids