The enigma of phosphoinositides and their derivatives: Their role in regulation of subcellular compartment morphology

The general segregation of a molecular class, lipids, from the pathways of cellular communication, via endomembranes, has resulted in the over-simplification and misconceptions in deciphering cell signalling mechanisms. Mechanisms in signal transduction and protein activation require targeting of proteins to membranous compartments with a specific localised morphology and dynamics that are dependent on their lipid composition. Many posttranslational events define cellular behaviours and without the active role of membranous compartments these events lead to various dysregulations of the signalling pathways. We summarise the key findings, using tools such as the rapalogue dimerisation, in the structural roles and signalling of the inter-related phosphoinositide lipids and their derivative, diacylglycerol, in the regulation of nuclear envelope biogenesis and other subcellular compartments such as the nucleoplasmic reticulum.

Automated summary

The general segregation of lipids from cellular communication pathways has led to oversimplification and misconceptions in understanding cell signaling mechanisms. Protein targeting and activation depend on the lipid composition of membranous compartments, and phosphoinositide lipids and diacylglycerol play crucial roles in regulating nuclear envelope biogenesis and subcellular compartments.