Roles of specific lipid species in the cell and their molecular mechanism

卷:62

Kimura, Tomohiro ; Jennings, William ; Epand, Richard M.

McMaster Univ

关键词: Specific lipid species;    Phosphatidylinositol;    Cardiolipin;    Plasma(e)nyl glycerophospholipids;    Phosphatidylglycerol;    Specific lipid-protein interactions;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.plipres.2016.02.001

学科分类：食品科学和技术

【 摘 要 】

Thousands of different molecular species of lipids are present within a single cell, being involved in modulating the basic processes of life. The vast number of different lipid species can be organized into a number of different lipid classes, which may be defined as a group of lipids with a common chemical structure, such as the headgroup, apart from the nature of the hydrocarbon chains. Each lipid class has unique biological roles. In some cases, a relatively small change in the headgroup chemical structure can result in a drastic change in function. Such phenomena are well documented, and largely understood in terms of specific interactions with proteins. In contrast, there are observations that the entire structural specificity of a lipid molecule, including the hydrocarbon chains, is required for biological activity through specific interactions with membrane proteins. Understanding of these phenomena represents a fundamental change in our thinking of the functions of lipids in biology. There are an increasing number of diverse examples of roles for specific lipids in cellular processes including: Signal transduction; trafficking; morphological changes; cell division. We are gaining knowledge and understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. They are of growing importance in both basic and applied sciences. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.