title: Roles of specific lipid species in the cell and their molecular mechanism.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: epand@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Epand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D021381:Protein Transport; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins
keywords: Cardiolipin; Phosphatidylglycerol; Phosphatidylinositol; Plasma(e)nyl glycerophospholipids; Specific lipid species; Specific lipid–protein interactions