# ResearchPlasma membrane transbilayer asymmetry of PI(4,5)P2 drives unconventional secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2

**Source**: https://www.bio.uni-heidelberg.de/en/newsroom/plasma-membrane-transbilayer-asymmetry-of-pi45p2-drives-unconventional-secretion-of-fibroblast
**Parent**: https://www.bio.uni-heidelberg.de/en

# Research Plasma membrane transbilayer asymmetry of PI(4,5)P2 drives unconventional secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2

The Nickel and Lolicato groups have uncovered how the asymmetric plasma membrane transbilayer distribution of the membrane lipid PI(4,5)P₂ drives unconventional secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2). Using complimentary in vitro reconstitution systems and cell-based assays, the team demonstrated that PI(4,5)P₂ transbilayer asymmetry strongly promotes FGF2 membrane translocation. The study shows that this asymmetry is essential for efficient secretion: while enhancing asymmetry boosts FGF2 membrane translocation in vitro, disrupting asymmetry inhibits FGF2 secretion from cells. These findings provide direct mechanistic evidence that PI(4,5)P₂ asymmetry lowers the energetic barrier for membrane pore formation, enabling rapid membrane translocation, the underlying mechanism of unconventional secretion of FGF2.

- [AG Nickel](https://bzh.db-engine.de/group/15/walter%20nickel)
- [AG Lolicato](https://bzh.db-engine.de/group/99/fabio%20lolicato)
- [Link to the paper](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-66860-z)

A quantitative assay measuring an acute wave of FGF2 secretion from cells

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