Phospholipases and Membrane Curvature: What Is Happening at the Surface?

In this revision work, we emphasize the close relationship between the action of phospholipases and the modulation of membrane curvature and curvature stress resulting from this activity. The alteration of the tridimensional structure of membranes upon the action of phospholipases is analyzed based on studies on model lipid membranes. The transient unbalance of both compositional and physical membrane properties between the hemilayers upon phospholipase activity lead to curvature tension and the catalysis of several membrane-related processes. Several proteins’ membrane-bound and soluble forms are susceptible to regulation by the curvature stress induced by phospholipase action, which has important consequences in cell signaling. Additionally, the modulation of membrane fusion by phospholipase products regulates membrane dynamics in several cellular scenarios. We commented on vesicle fusion in the Golgi-endoplasmic system, synaptic vesicle fusion to the plasma membrane, viral membrane fusion to host cell plasma membrane and gametes membrane fusion upon acrosomal reaction. Furthermore, we explored the modulation of membrane fusion by the asymmetric adsorption of amphiphilic drugs. A deep understanding of the relevance of lipid membrane structure, particularly membrane curvature and curvature stress, on different cellular events leads to the challenge of its regulation, which may become a powerful tool for pharmacological therapy.