About PITPN / Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein:
Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Proteins (PITPN) are important characters in the regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism within cells. PITPN are found within cells where they undertake signal transference and control traffic through cell membranes.
PITPN Source
The history of PITPNs has been found in ancient sources such as fungi, plants and mammals. Due to the age and evolution of these proteins, it is clear to see that these proteins are of importance to life and development. Mutations of PITPNs have been found to be causes of cancers, neurological disorders and developmental abnormalities within fungi, mammals and bacteria.
Phosphatidylinositol Transfer Protein Function
These proteins act as the contact and controlling factors of fat (lipids) metabolism rates and with the control of eukaryotes. There are two types of PITPNs, one that is found within plants and fundi and one that is found within mammals, flies and invertebrates. In addition to their ability to bind lipids together, PITPNs can control and facilitate the transfer of those lipids between cells. This is not a new scientific finding, however, there are exciting revelations that show these proteins can perform without the need for a lot of energy expenditure in the process.
PITPN Mechanism
Current scientific thought suggests that if there are deficiencies within one type of PITPN, the other may compensate for this. It is also being found that PITPN can form scaffolds with lipids within cellular modules to retain or transfer lipids within the cell walls. There are conflicting studies explaining the processes PITPN complete and the functions it performs, however it is important to remember that scientific discoveries aren’t linear and findings are likely to change as technology improves.