The expanding roles of PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 at the plasma membrane: Role of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins.

Phosphoinositides are phosphorylated derivatives of phosphatidylinositol, a phospholipid that is synthesised at the endoplasmic reticulum. The plasma membrane contains the enzymes to phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol and is therefore rich in the phosphorylated derivatives, PI4P and PI(4,5)P2. PI(4,5)P2 is a substrate for phospholipase C and during cell signaling, PI(4,5)P2 levels are reduced. Here I discuss a family of proteins, phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs) that can restore PI(4,5)P2 levels.