Related Experiment Videos
Lipopigments in veterinary pathology: pathogenesis and terminology
1Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Lipopigments are a diverse group of pigments with unclear origins. Research suggests protein, not just lipid, plays a key role in ceroid-lipofuscinosis pathogenesis, necessitating clearer terminology for these pigments.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Lipopigments encompass a heterogeneous group of pigments with confused terminology and pathogenesis.
- While ceroid is linked to lipid peroxidation, this is questioned for all lipopigments, particularly those in ceroid-lipofuscinoses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the pathogenesis and terminology of various lipopigments.
- To differentiate the origins of ceroid from pigments in ceroid-lipofuscinosis and age pigment.
- To propose revised nomenclature for lipopigments.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological and observational evidence.
- Analysis of recent studies on pigment pathogenesis.
- Examination of the role of protein versus lipid in pigment formation.
Main Results:
- Protein, specifically the DCCD binding protein subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase, is crucial in ceroid-lipofuscinosis pathogenesis.
- Lipid degeneration and peroxidation are key for pathological ceroid, but not necessarily for all lipopigments.
- Existing terms like lipofuscin and lipopigment remain useful generic descriptors.
Conclusions:
- The term "ceroid" should be restricted to pathological pigments with implied lipid peroxidation.
- "Age pigment" is preferred for age-related pigments without other complications.
- The term "ceroid-lipofuscinosis" is misleading; "proteolipid proteinosis" is a potential but premature alternative.