Elucidating the Dynamics of Lipid-Protein Interactions in Cell Physiology and Disease

Lipid-protein interactions represent a fundamental area of research within cell biology and biochemistry, underpinning the structure and functionality of biological membranes. Both plasma and intracellular membranes are distinguished by unique lipid compositions that orchestrate the precise localization and activity of membrane-associated proteins. Transmembrane proteins such as ion channels, receptors, and transporters, along with peripheral membrane proteins, engage in complex interactions with lipid bilayers and subdomains. These interactions not only affect protein conformation and membrane targeting but also regulate the spatial arrangement, activation, and assembly of molecular complexes critical to processes like signaling, trafficking, and extracellular vesicle formation. Despite increasing recognition of their centrality, the molecular and cellular underpinnings of lipid-protein interactions—especially regarding their roles in health and disease—are not yet fully understood. Advances in biophysical analyses, molecular simulations, and biochemical approaches have begun to shed light on these mechanisms, yet significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning mechanistic diversity, dynamic regulation, and implications for drug discovery.This Research Topic aims to showcase recent advances and novel perspectives in the understanding of lipid-protein interactions within cellular and subcellular membranes. Of particular interest are studies that elucidate the structural and physiological functions of membrane-associated proteins, unravel fundamental principles of lipid-protein interplay, and link these interactions to cellular processes or disease states. The Topic welcomes original research and scholarly reviews from a broad range of disciplines, including cell biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, and biophysics, as well as interdisciplinary work integrating structural, computational, and systems-level approaches. By assembling contributions across these areas, this Research Topic aspires to advance both conceptual frameworks and practical insights, ultimately informing future translational and therapeutic developments.The scope of this Research Topic includes all aspects of lipid-protein interactions in biological membranes and their functional consequences, but does not extend to studies unrelated to membrane-associated processes. To gather further insights in this field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Structural determinants and dynamics of lipid-protein interaction• Regulatory roles of lipid composition in protein function and localization• Mechanisms of membrane trafficking, signal transduction, and phase separation• Impact of membrane proteins and their lipid environment in disease pathology• Innovations in drug delivery systems, lipid nanoparticles, and membrane-targeted therapeutics• Advances in experimental techniques, molecular simulations, and bioinformatics applied to lipid-protein studies• Self-assembly, cytoskeleton-membrane interaction, and organelle membrane contact sites• The design and use of model membranes and liposomes for elucidating interaction mechanisms Topic editors: Yosuke Senju, Emi Hibino, Achinta Sannigrahi, Madhu Tapadia Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77080/elucidating-the-dynamics-of-lipid-protein-interactions-in-cell-physiology-and-disease