Plays a critical role in the phospholipid salvage pathway from lysosomes to the cytosol (, ). Mediates the rate-limiting, proton-dependent, lysosomal efflux of lysophospholipids, which can then be reacylated by acyltransferases in the endoplasmic reticulum to form phospholipids (, ). Selective for zwitterionic headgroups such as lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), can also transport lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG), but not other anionic lysophospholipids, sphingosine, nor sphingomyelin . Transports lysophospholipids with saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as 1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z-docosahexaenoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, respectively (, ). Can also transport lysoplasmalogen (LPC with a fatty alcohol) such as 1-(1Z-hexadecenyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine . Lysosomal LPC could function as intracellular signaling messenger . Essential player in lysosomal homeostasis . Crucial for cell survival under conditions of nutrient limitation . May be involved in necrotic or autophagic cell death .
Subcellular locations: Lysosome membrane, Mitochondrion inner membrane
Ocassionally localizes to mitochondria.