Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
08:41
Imaging Neutrophil Migration in the Mouse Skin to Investigate Subcellular Membrane Remodeling Under Physiological Conditions
Published on: May 10, 2022
1.8K
Phospholipid Remodeling in Physiology and Disease
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Molecular Biology Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90272, USA;
Annual Review of Physiology
|November 1, 2018
Summary
Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases (LPCATs) regulate membrane properties crucial for biological functions. Manipulating LPCAT activity offers potential therapeutic strategies for various diseases, including liver disease and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Phospholipids are key membrane components, and their fatty acyl chain composition dictates membrane biophysical properties.
- Lands' cycle, a deacylation-reacylation pathway, actively regulates fatty acyl chain composition.
- Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases (LPCATs) are enzymes involved in phosphatidylcholine synthesis and have demonstrated roles in pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical roles of LPCAT1 and LPCAT3 in maintaining biological functions and systemic lipid homeostasis.
- To explore the involvement of LPCATs in various pathological conditions.
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of modulating LPCAT activity.
Main Methods:
- Studies utilizing mouse genetic models to investigate LPCAT function.
- Analysis of LPCAT1's role in pulmonary surfactant biosynthesis.
- Examination of LPCAT3's function in intestinal lipid absorption, lipoprotein secretion, and hepatic lipogenesis.
Main Results:
- LPCAT1 is essential for lung function and pulmonary surfactant production.
- LPCAT3 is vital for systemic lipid homeostasis, impacting gut absorption, lipoprotein metabolism, and liver fat synthesis.
- Altered LPCAT activity is implicated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, viral infections, and cancer.
Conclusions:
- LPCAT enzymes play significant roles in both normal physiology and disease pathogenesis.
- Targeting LPCAT activity presents a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic interventions.
- Understanding phospholipid metabolism through LPCATs is crucial for addressing metabolic and inflammatory diseases.
Related Concept Videos
02:54Nucleosome Remodeling
11.2K
Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
11.2K
01:40Bone Remodeling
40.4K
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
40.4K
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
4.2K
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during...
4.2K
01:25Physiological Barriers
5.2K
Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
5.2K
01:24The Physiology of Taste
7.7K
The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the...
7.7K
01:30Liver Physiology
3.8K
The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
3.8K