Physical coupling between lipids and proteins: a paradigm for cellular control

Abstract

The long held view of biological lipids acting as passive building blocks in biological membranes has now been superseded by the notion that the structure and composition of the membrane plays a crucial role in the regulation of protein function and numerous other biological processes. This may be the result of specific protein-lipid recognition phenomena or alternatively regulation by sensing properties of the membrane such as the stored curvature elastic stress with the latter being the focus of the review.