Phospholipid Metabolism In Cellular Signaling

Phospholipids are no longer considered exclusively as the building blocks of biomembranes, but are now regarded to be exceptionally important to cellular signalling.Another conclusion resulting from studies over the past several years is that no single general scheme for the role of phospholipids during cell activation can be drawn as representative of all cells. This book presents a comprehensive view of the recent advances made in certain major research areas within the field of phospholipid metabolism in cellular signalling. Topics discussed within this volume include lipid composition of cellular membranes and their organization in biological systems, the dynamic aspects of phospholipid metabolism and its regulation by extracellular stimuli, and the role of newly discovered glycosyl-phosphatidylinositols in insulin action . The book also discusses two biologically active phospholipids: the sphingolipids, and ether-linked glycerophospholipids (the platelet activating factor). Phospholipid Metabolism in Cellular Signaling is an important research reference that should be considered required reading by all scientists and graduate students working on cell activation (e.g., growth factors, hormones, and oncogenes).

Lipid Signaling and Metabolism provides foundational knowledge and methods to examine lipid metabolism and bioactive lipid signaling mediators that regulate a broad spectrum of biological processes and disease states. Here, world-renowned investigators offer a basic examination of general lipid, metabolism, intracellular lipid storage and utilization that is followed by an in-depth discussion of lipid signaling and metabolism across disease areas, including obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular disease and mood-related disorders. Throughout, authors demonstrate how expanding our understanding of lipid mediators in metabolism and signaling enables opportunities for novel therapeutics. Emphasis is placed on bioactive lipid metabolism and research that has been impacted by new technologies and their new potential to transform precision medicine. Provides a clear, up-to-date understanding of lipid signaling and metabolism and the impact of recent technologies critical to advancing new studies Empowers researchers to examine bioactive lipid signaling and metabolism, supporting translation to clinical care and precision medicine Discusses the role of lipid signaling and metabolism in obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular disease and mood-related disorders, among others

This volume contains information on analyzing sphingolipids, sphingolipid transport and trafficking, and sphingolipid-protein interactions and cellular targets. Its companion Volume 311 presents methods used in studying enzymes of sphingolipid biosynthesis and turnover, including inhibitors of some of these enzymes, genetic approaches, and organic and enzymatic syntheses of sphingolipids and analogs. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.

The discovery that inositol lipids are integral in cellular signaling mechanisms has been one of the most exciting breakthroughs in recent years. As secondary messengers in a wide variety of tissues and involved processes as diverse as rapid contraction of skeletal muscle, insulin secretion, and the slow activation of cell proliferation in cancer cells, their impact on biochemistry is akin to that of cyclic AMP two decades ago. Drawing together the many strands of research on inositol lipid-mediated signalling and containing contributions by leading authorities in their fields, Inositol Lipids in Cell Signalling is essential for any involved biochemist, cell biologist, or pharmacologist.

For years lipids have fascinated cell biologists and biochemists due to their profound effects on cell function. "Cellular Lipid Metabolism" highlights new concepts and recent findings, but also reviews important discoveries made in the past. Outstanding international experts contribute 13 chapters on the genetics, molecular and cell biology of lipids. Presenting analyses at the molecular level they reveal the principles by which cellular lipid metabolism functions. Further, numerous intriguing observations that cannot yet be explained are identified, stimulating the readers to future studies. This book provides an invaluable source of information for biomedical researchers in energy metabolism, vascular biology, endocrinology and lipidology.

This book provides the most updated information of how membrane lipids mediate protein signaling from studies carried out in animal and plant cells. Also, there are some chapters that go beyond and expand these studies of protein-lipid interactions at the structural level. The book begins with a literature review from investigations associated to sphingolipids, followed by studies that describe the role of phosphoinositides in signaling and closing with the function of other key lipids in signaling at the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles.

The last few years have witnessed an explosion of both interest and knowledge about apoptosis, the process by which a cell actively commits suicide. The number of publications on the topic has increased from nothing in the early 1980s to more than 10,000 papers annually today. It is now well recognized that apoptosis is essential in many aspects of normal development and is required for maintaining tissue homeostasis. The idea that life requires death seems somewhat paradoxical, but cell suicide is essential for an animal to survive. For example, without selective destruction of “non-self” T cells, an animal would lack immunity. Similarly, meaningful neural connections in the brain are whittled from a mass of cells. Further, developmental cell remodeling during tissue maturation involves programmed cell death as the major mechanism for functional and structural safe transition of undifferentiated cells to more specialized counterparts. Apoptosis research, with roots in biochemistry, developmental and cell biology, genetics, and immunology, embraces this long-ignored natural law. Failure to properly regulate apoptosis can have catastrophic consequences. Cancer and many diseases (AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart attack, stroke, etc. ) are thought to arise from deregulation of apoptosis. As apoptosis emerges as a key biological regulatory mechanism, it has become harder and harder to keep up with new developments in this field.

The purpose of this book is to introduce the readers on the perspective of the role that unsaturated fatty acids and complex lipids play on health and disease. Bioactive lipids can be modified affecting membrane composition, structure and fluidity in addition to changes in cell signaling associated to lipid-protein (membrane receptors) interactions, issues that are addressed by the authors. This book analyzes key topics involving bioactive lipids and their role in normal signaling and the mechanisms of disease. The book navigates from structural studies of oxidized and non-oxidized lipids to the reactions and cell signaling processes that bioactive lipids play in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The book contains the recent advances reported in the literature about lipidomics as well as the role that lipid-derived compounds exert on unfolded protein response and lipid metabolism and disease. This book represents a state of the art introduction to lipid metabolism from a biochemical to an in vivo overview being an useful tool for students and investigators. We hope the mechanistic observations on the role of bioactive lipids in health and disease serve a perspective to improve the existing treatments or propose new lipid-based pharmacology