The phospholipid code: a key component of dying cell recognition,tumor progression and host–microbe interactions

A significant effort is made by the cell to maintain certain phospholipids at specific sites. It is well described that proteins involved in intracellular signaling can be targeted to the plasma membrane and organelles through phospholipid-binding domains. Thus, the accumulation of a specific combination of phospholipids, denoted here as the ‘phospholipid code'', is key in initiating cellular processes. Interestingly, a variety of extracellular proteins and pathogen-derived proteins can also recognize or modify phospholipids to facilitate the recognition of dying cells, tumorigenesis and host–microbe interactions. In this article, we discuss the importance of the phospholipid code in a range of physiological and pathological processes.     

Acacidiol,a new nor-triterpene from the sapogenins of Acacia concinna

From the neutral fraction of the acid hydrolysate of the saponin of Acacia concinna pods, acacic acid lactone 3β-acetate and a new nor-triterpene ‘acacidiol’ have been isolated. The latter is shown to be 28-noroleana-16,18-diene-3β,21β-diol.