Lipid-Protein Interactions in Cellular Processes

Research Goal

In our group we research lipid-protein interactions in different processes where membrane remodelling is taking place. In particular, we are now concentrating our studies on the autophagosome generation/elongation and further fusion with the lysosomes. Our methodological approach is multidisciplinary with a combination of biophysical, cellular biology and nanotechnological techniques.

Group leader

Alicia Alonso

ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2730-7470

Phone +34 946 01 3354

Address

Biofisika Institute (CSIC, EHU)
Science Park of the EHU
Barrio Sarriena s/n. 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia (Spain)

Lipid-Protein Interactions in Cellular Processes Laboratory

Group members

Alicia Alonso

University Professor
Camila Aguirre

PhD Student
David Bermejillo

PhD Student
Gorka Basañez

CSIC Scientist
Jesús Sot Sanz

Research Technician

Publications

Differential equilibration in cis- and trans-ceramide monolayers: A molecular dynamics study

J Chem Phys. 2026 May 14;164(18):185102. DOI: 10.1063/5.0322180
Long-term memory in lipid assemblies: Rate-independent hysteresis in the ripple-to-liquid-disordered transition of sphingomyelin bilayers

J Chem Phys. 2025 Apr 7;162(13):135101. doi: 10.1063/5.0252051. PMID: 40167004.
Ceramide and the membrane-fusion activity of LC3/GABARAP autophagy proteins

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2025 Jul 19;82(1):283. doi: 10.1007/s00018-025-05811-9. PMID: 40682660.
The puzzle of sphingolipids and cholesterol under the atomic force microscope: bilayer thicknesses and breakthrough forces

Chem Phys Lipids. 2025 Sep;271:105527. doi: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2025.105527. Epub 2025 Jul 15. PMID: 40675432.
Substrate stiffness and pressure alter retinal Müller glia response and extracellular matrix production

Biomater Biosyst. 2025 Jul 7;19:100114. doi: 10.1016/j.bbiosy.2025.100114. PMID: 40687493; PMCID: PMC12275231.
A nile red fluorescence assay for LC3 autophagy protein binding to lipid bilayers

Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 3;15(1):34571. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-18016-8. PMID: 41044149; PMCID: PMC12494833.
Vesicle-vesicle fusion promoted by the ATG8 autophagy protein LC3C: relevance of the N-terminal region.

Autophagy. 2024 May 31:1-3. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2024.2359354. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38818767.
The Influence of Lipid Electric Charge on the Binding of Aβ(1-42) Amyloid Peptide to Bilayers in the Liquid-Ordered State

Biomolecules. 2024 Mar 1;14(3):298. doi: 10.3390/biom14030298. PMID: 38540718; PMCID: PMC10967883.
The N-terminal region of the ATG8 autophagy protein LC3C is essential for its membrane fusion properties

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Feb 1;262(Pt 1):129835. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129835. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38302024.
Ceramide regulation of autophagy: A biophysical approach

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids . 2024 Mar;1869(2):159444
Vesicle tethering and fusion promoted by LC3/GABARAP proteins is modulated by the ATG12–ATG5-ATG16L1 complex

Autophagy. 2023 Oct;19(10):2827-2829. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2023.2202557. Epub 2023 Apr 18.
Lipids in Mitochondrial Macroautophagy: Phase Behavior of Bilayers Containing Cardiolipin and Ceramide

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5080; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065080
Effect of ATG12–ATG5-ATG16L1 autophagy E3-like complex on the ability of LC3/GABARAP proteins to induce vesicle tethering and fusion

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 Feb 2;80(2):56. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04704-z.
LC3/GABARAP binding to fluid membranes is potentiated by ceramide

Autophagy (2022), doi: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2136821
Ceramide enhances binding of LC3/GABARAP autophagy proteins to cardiolipin-containing membranes

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2022) Volume 217, 30, Pages 748-760, doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.032

Group members

Publications

Differential equilibration in cis- and trans-ceramide monolayers: A molecular dynamics study

Long-term memory in lipid assemblies: Rate-independent hysteresis in the ripple-to-liquid-disordered transition of sphingomyelin bilayers

Ceramide and the membrane-fusion activity of LC3/GABARAP autophagy proteins

The puzzle of sphingolipids and cholesterol under the atomic force microscope: bilayer thicknesses and breakthrough forces

Substrate stiffness and pressure alter retinal Müller glia response and extracellular matrix production

A nile red fluorescence assay for LC3 autophagy protein binding to lipid bilayers

Vesicle-vesicle fusion promoted by the ATG8 autophagy protein LC3C: relevance of the N-terminal region.

The Influence of Lipid Electric Charge on the Binding of Aβ(1-42) Amyloid Peptide to Bilayers in the Liquid-Ordered State

The N-terminal region of the ATG8 autophagy protein LC3C is essential for its membrane fusion properties

Ceramide regulation of autophagy: A biophysical approach

Vesicle tethering and fusion promoted by LC3/GABARAP proteins is modulated by the ATG12–ATG5-ATG16L1 complex

Lipids in Mitochondrial Macroautophagy: Phase Behavior of Bilayers Containing Cardiolipin and Ceramide

Effect of ATG12–ATG5-ATG16L1 autophagy E3-like complex on the ability of LC3/GABARAP proteins to induce vesicle tethering and fusion

LC3/GABARAP binding to fluid membranes is potentiated by ceramide

Ceramide enhances binding of LC3/GABARAP autophagy proteins to cardiolipin-containing membranes