Membrane composition and dynamics: a target of bioactive virgin olive oil constituents.
The endogenous synthesis of lipids, which requires suitable dietary raw materials, is critical for the formation of membrane bilayers. In eukaryotic cells, phospholipids are the predominant membrane lipids and consist of hydrophobic acyl chains attached to a hydrophilic head group. The relative balance between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated acyl chains is required for the organization and normal function of membranes. Virgin olive oil is the richest natural dietary source of the monounsaturated lipid oleic acid and is one of the key components of the healthy Mediterranean diet. Virgin olive oil also contains a unique constellation of many other lipophilic and amphipathic constituents whose health benefits are still being discovered. The focus of this review is the latest evidence regarding the impact of oleic acid and the minor constituents of virgin olive oil on the arrangement and behavior of lipid bilayers. We highlight the relevance of these interactions to the potential use of virgin olive oil in preserving the functional properties of membranes to maintain health and in modulating membrane functions that can be altered in several pathologies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology and Therapy.
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41012 Seville, Spain.
Sergio
S
Lopez
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41012 Seville, Spain.
Beatriz
B
Bermudez
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41012 Seville, Spain.
Sergio
S
Montserrat-de la Paz
Laboratory of Phytochemicals and Food Quality, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41014 Seville, Spain.
Sara
S
Jaramillo
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41012 Seville, Spain.
Lourdes M
LM
Varela
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41012 Seville, Spain.
Almudena
A
Ortega-Gomez
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41012 Seville, Spain.
Rocio
R
Abia
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, 41012 Seville, Spain. Electronic address: muriana@ig.csic.es.
Francisco J G
FJ
Muriana
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils
Health/disease; Membrane; Minor constituent; Oleic acid; Phospholipid; Virgin olive oil