Modulation of endomembranes morphodynamics in the secretory/retrograde pathways depends on lipid diversity

• Membrane curvature and its homeostasis modulate endomembrane morphodynamics.
• Lands cycle, translocases and lipid–protein interactions may control membrane curvature.
• Membrane curvature can govern lipid and protein sorting into specific domains.

Membrane lipids are crucial bricks for cell and organelle compartmentalization and their physical properties and interactions with other membrane partners (lipids or proteins) reveal lipids as key actors of the regulation of membrane morphodynamics in many cellular functions and especially in the secretory/retrograde pathways. Studies on membrane models have indicated diverse mechanisms by which membranes bend. Moreover, in vivo studies also indicate that membrane curvature can play crucial roles in the regulation of endomembrane morphodynamics, organelle morphology and transport vesicle formation. A role for enzymes of lipid metabolism and lipid–protein interactions will be discussed as crucial mechanisms in the regulation of membrane morphodynamics in the secretory/retrograde pathways.