Have Lipid, Will Travel

Abstract

The serine-threonine kinase protein kinase D (PKD) binds to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in mammalian cells and is involved in the release of transport vesicles destined for the plasma membrane. Baron and Malhotra (see the Perspective by Bankaitis) now show that in order for PKD to bind to the TGN, it must specifically bind to the lipid diacylglycerol. When concentrations of this lipid were reduced in cells, both PKD recruitment to the TGN and transport out of the TGN were inhibited. C. L. Baron, V. Malhotra, Role of diacylglycerol in PKD recruitment to the TGN and protein transport to the plasma membrane. Science 295, 325-328 (2002). [Abstract] [Full Text] V. A. Bankaitis, Slick recruitment to the Golgi. Science 295, 290-291 (2002). [Full Text]