What we do and do not know about the cellular functions of polyisoprenoids

Abstract

Natural compounds classi fi ed as products of secondary metabolism are widely studied as to their potential biological role. Identification of possible cellular functions of polyisoprenoids, generally considered as secondary products, has been our focus for some 30 years already. The results of these studies for instance inthe context of membrane permeability and protein modification are briefly described and discussed in this chapter.