Lipid Transfer Proteins

Plant lipid transfer proteins, also known as plant LTPs or PLTPs, are a group of highly- conserved proteins of about 7-9 kDa found in higher plant tissues. As its name implies, lipid transfer proteins facilitate the shuttling of phospholipids and other fatty acid groups between cell membranes. LTPs are divided into two structurally related subfamilies according to their molecular masses: LTP1s (9 kDa) and LTP2s (7 kDa). Various LTPs bind a wide range of ligands, including fatty acids with a C₁₀–C₁₈ chain length, acyl derivatives of coenzyme A, phospho- and galactolipids, prostaglandin B₂, sterols, molecules of organic solvents, and some drugs.

The LTP domain is also found in seed storage proteins (including 2S albumin, gliadin, and glutelin) and bifunctional trypsin/ alpha-amylase inhibitors. These proteins share the same superhelical, disulfide-stabilised four-helix bundle containing an internal cavity.

There is no sequence similarity between animal and plant LTPs. In animals, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, also called plasma lipid transfer protein, is a plasma protein that facilitates the transport of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides between the lipoproteins.

Function

Ordinarily, most lipids do not spontaneously exit membranes because their hydrophobicity makes them poorly soluble in water. LTPs facilitate the movement of lipids between membranes by binding, and solubilising them. LTPs typically have broad substrate specificity and so can interact with a variety of different lipids.

LTPs are known to be pathogenesis-related proteins, i.e. proteins produced for pathogen defense by plants. Some LTPs are known to be antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and/or ''in vitro'' antiproliferative. The enzyme inhibitor members are thought to regulate the development and germination of seeds as well as protect against insects and herbivores.

LTPs in plants may be involved in:
*cutin biosynthesis
*surface wax formation
*mitochondrial growth
*adaptation to environmental changes
*lipid metabolism
*fertilization of flowering plants
*adaptation of plants under stress conditions
*activation and regulation of signaling cascades
*apoptosis
*symbiosis
*fruit ripening

Structure

Plant lipid transfer proteins consist of 4 alpha-helices in a right-handed superhelix with a folded leaf topology. The structure is stabilised by disulfide bridges linking the helices to each other.

The structure forms an internal hydrophobic cavity in which 1-2 lipids can be bound. The outer surface of the protein is hydrophilic, allowing the complex to be soluble. The use of hydrophobic interactions, with very few charged interactions, allows the protein to have broad specificity for a range of lipids.

Role in human health

PLTPs are pan-allergens, and may be directly responsible for cases of food allergy. Pru p 3, the major allergen from peach, is a 9-kDa allergen belonging to the family of lipid-transfer proteins. Allergic properties are closely linked with high thermal stability and resistance to gastrointestinal proteolysis of the proteins. They are class 1 (gastrointestinal) food allergens that cause a more systemic response than class 2 (respiratory) allergens.

Plant LTPs are considered antioxidants in a small subset of researches. Whether this has value for human health is unknown.

Commercial importance

Lipid transfer protein 1 (from barley) is responsible, when denatured by the mashing process, for the bulk of foam which forms on top of beer.

References

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Plant proteins
Water-soluble transporters