Palmitate mediated localization is a biological process that trafficks a palmitoylated protein to ordered lipid domains. __TOC__

Biological function

One function is thought to cluster proteins to increase the efficiency of protein-protein interactions and facilitate biological processes. In the opposite scenario palmitate mediated localization sequesters proteins away from a non-localized molecule. In theory, disruption of palmitate mediated localization then allows a transient interaction of two molecules through lipid mixing. In the case of an enzyme, palmitate can sequester an enzyme away from its substrate. Disruption of palmitate mediated localization then activates the enzyme by

substrate presentation Substrate presentation is a biological process that activates a protein. The protein is sequestered away from its substrate and then activated by release and exposure of the protein to its substrate. A substrate is typically the substance on which ...

Mechanism of sequestration

Palmitate mediated localization utilizes lipid partitioning and the formation of

lipid rafts The plasma membranes of cells contain combinations of glycosphingolipids, cholesterol and protein receptors organised in glycolipoprotein lipid microdomains termed lipid rafts. Their existence in cellular membranes remains somewhat controversial. ...

. Sequestration of palmitoylated proteins is regulated by cholesterol. Depletion of cholesterol with methyl-beta cyclodextrin disrupts palmitate mediated localization.

References

{{reflist Biological processes