Every organelle in a eukaryotic cell contains enzymes with specialized functions, unique to that organelle. But the endosome does things differently — it is regulated, in part, by a unique lipid called lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA). This lipid seems to be crucial, because anti-LBPA antibodies affect both the structure and function of the late endosome. Moreover, LBPA is recognized by autoimmune sera from patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, indicating that it may be involved in pathogenesis of this disease.
- Sandra L. Schmid
- Pieter R. Cullis