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Frontiers in Physiology 2022Ether lipids are a unique class of glycero- and glycerophospho-lipid that carry an ether or vinyl ether linked fatty alcohol at the -1 position of the glycerol backbone.... (Review)
Review
Ether lipids are a unique class of glycero- and glycerophospho-lipid that carry an ether or vinyl ether linked fatty alcohol at the -1 position of the glycerol backbone. These specialised lipids are important endogenous anti-oxidants with additional roles in regulating membrane fluidity and dynamics, intracellular signalling, immunomodulation and cholesterol metabolism. Lipidomic profiling of human population cohorts has identified new associations between reduced circulatory plasmalogen levels, an abundant and biologically active sub-class of ether lipids, with obesity and body-mass index. These findings align with the growing body of work exploring novel roles for ether lipids within adipose tissue. In this regard, ether lipids have now been linked to facilitating lipid droplet formation, regulating thermogenesis and mediating beiging of white adipose tissue in early life. This review will assess recent findings in both population studies and studies using cell and animal models to delineate the functional and protective roles of ether lipids in the setting of obesity. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of ether lipid supplementation to attenuate diet-induced obesity.
PubMed: 35309067
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.841278 -
FEBS Letters Sep 2019Ether lipids are glycerolipids further classified into alkyl-ether and alkenyl-ether (also termed plasmalogens) lipids. The two ether lipid subclasses share the first... (Review)
Review
Ether lipids are glycerolipids further classified into alkyl-ether and alkenyl-ether (also termed plasmalogens) lipids. The two ether lipid subclasses share the first steps of their synthesis. However, alkyl-ether and alkenyl-ether lipids differ in their structure and physico-chemical properties (featuring different head groups) and, thus, probably in their functions. Ether lipids have intermittent distribution across the evolutionary tree and defects in their synthesis have been shown to perturb cellular homeostasis and lead to disease in humans. Here, we review their structure, their interactions with other lipids, and their potential roles in cellular functions, such as membrane homeostasis and membrane trafficking. Moreover, we discuss still unclear aspects of these lipids such as their subcellular distribution, and the need to unravel their molecular functions as well as how novel tools to study lipid biology will help clarify these aspects.
Topics: Biological Transport; Cell Membrane; Ethers; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids
PubMed: 31166014
DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13465 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Nov 2022Peroxisomes are single-membrane organelles essential for cell metabolism including the β-oxidation of fatty acids, synthesis of etherlipid plasmalogens, and redox... (Review)
Review
Peroxisomes are single-membrane organelles essential for cell metabolism including the β-oxidation of fatty acids, synthesis of etherlipid plasmalogens, and redox homeostasis. Investigations into peroxisome biogenesis and the human peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) have identified 14 PEX genes encoding peroxins involved in peroxisome biogenesis and the mutation of PEX genes is responsible for the PBDs. Many recent findings have further advanced our understanding of the biology, physiology, and consequences of a functional deficit of peroxisomes. In this Review, we discuss cell defense mechanisms that counteract oxidative stress by 1) a proapoptotic Bcl-2 factor BAK-mediated release to the cytosol of HO-degrading catalase from peroxisomes and 2) peroxisomal import suppression of catalase by Ser232-phosphorylation of Pex14, a docking protein for the Pex5-PTS1 complex. With respect to peroxisome division, the important issue of how the energy-rich GTP is produced and supplied for the division process was recently addressed by the discovery of a nucleoside diphosphate kinase-like protein, termed DYNAMO1 in a lower eukaryote, which has a mammalian homologue NME3. In regard to the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PBDs, a new PBD model mouse defective in Pex14 manifests a dysregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-TrkB pathway, an important signaling pathway for cerebellar morphogenesis. Communications between peroxisomes and other organelles are also addressed.
Topics: Animals; Catalase; Homeostasis; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Mammals; Mice; Peroxisomal Disorders; Peroxisomes
PubMed: 35917894
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119330 -
Trends in Cell Biology Aug 2021Peroxisomes are involved in multiple metabolic processes, including fatty acid oxidation, ether lipid synthesis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. Recent... (Review)
Review
Peroxisomes are involved in multiple metabolic processes, including fatty acid oxidation, ether lipid synthesis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. Recent studies suggest that peroxisomes are critical mediators of cellular responses to various forms of stress, including oxidative stress, hypoxia, starvation, cold exposure, and noise. As dynamic organelles, peroxisomes can modulate their proliferation, morphology, and movement within cells, and engage in crosstalk with other organelles in response to external cues. Although peroxisome-derived hydrogen peroxide has a key role in cellular signaling related to stress, emerging studies suggest that other products of peroxisomal metabolism, such as acetyl-CoA and ether lipids, are also important for metabolic adaptation to stress. Here, we review molecular mechanisms through which peroxisomes regulate metabolic and environmental stress.
Topics: Lipid Metabolism; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Peroxisomes; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 33674166
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.02.005 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Aug 2022The etiology of exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) is poorly understood. We aimed to identify a prediagnostic plasma metabolomic signature associated with XFG.
PURPOSE
The etiology of exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) is poorly understood. We aimed to identify a prediagnostic plasma metabolomic signature associated with XFG.
METHODS
We conducted a 1:1 matched case-control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. We collected blood samples in 1989-1990 (Nurses' Health Study) and 1993-1995 (Health Professionals Follow-up Study). We identified 205 incident XFG cases through 2016 (average time to diagnosis from blood draw = 11.8 years) who self-reported glaucoma and were confirmed as XFG cases with medical records. We profiled plasma metabolites using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We evaluated 379 known metabolites (transformed for normality using probit scores) using multiple conditional logistic models. Metabolite set enrichment analysis was used to identify metabolite classes associated with XFG. To adjust for multiple comparisons, we used number of effective tests (NEF) and the false discovery rate (FDR).
RESULTS
Mean age of cases (n = 205) at diagnosis was 71 years; 85% were women and more than 99% were Caucasian; controls (n = 205) reported eye examinations as of the matched cases' index date. Thirty-three metabolites were nominally significantly associated with XFG (P < 0.05), and 4 metabolite classes were FDR-significantly associated. We observed positive associations for lysophosphatidylcholines (FDR = 0.02) and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens (FDR = 0.004) and inverse associations for triacylglycerols (FDR < 0.0001) and steroids (FDR = 0.03). In particular, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio with each 1 standard deviation higher plasma cortisone levels was 0.49 (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.74; NEF = 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In plasma from a decade before diagnosis, lysophosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogens were positively associated and triacylglycerols and steroids (e.g., cortisone) were inversely associated with XFG risk.
Topics: Aged; Case-Control Studies; Cortisone; Exfoliation Syndrome; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Male; Metabolomics; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Plasmalogens; Triglycerides
PubMed: 35951322
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.9.15 -
Alzheimer's & Dementia (New York, N. Y.) 2019Causation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not well understood. It is necessary to look beyond neuropathology to identify the underlying causes of AD and many other common... (Review)
Review
Causation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not well understood. It is necessary to look beyond neuropathology to identify the underlying causes of AD and many other common neurological diseases. Lipid abnormalities are well documented in the preclinical phases of many neurological diseases including AD. Here, we use AD as an example to examine the role of lipid abnormalities as an underlying cause of neurodegeneration. Role of lipids, particularly phospholipids, in the optimal function of the nervous system, impact of the aberrations of phospholipid metabolism on β-amyloid deposition and cholinergic neuronal function, epidemiological evidence on the association of phospholipids with AD, and preliminary data on the possible modulation of risk factors of AD by phospholipids are examined. Implications of these findings on diagnosis and prevention are also discussed.
PubMed: 31650009
DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2019.08.003 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a rapidly growing epidemic with a heavy social and economic burden. Evidence suggests that systemic inflammation, dysregulation of the immune... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a rapidly growing epidemic with a heavy social and economic burden. Evidence suggests that systemic inflammation, dysregulation of the immune response and the resulting neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration play a significant role in AD pathogenesis. Currently, given that there is no fully convincing cure for AD, the interest in lifestyle factors (such as diet), which potentially delay onset and reduce the severity of symptoms, is increasing. This review is aimed at summarizing the effects of dietary supplementation on cognitive decline, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in AD-like animal models with a focus on neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, which mimics systemic inflammation in animals. The compounds reviewed include curcumin, krill oil, chicoric acid, plasmalogens, lycopene, tryptophan-related dipeptides, hesperetin and selenium peptides. Despite the heterogeneity of these compounds, there is a strong consensus on their counteracting action on LPS-induced cognitive deficits and neuroinflammatory responses in rodents by modulating cell-signaling processes, such as the NF-κB pathway. Overall, dietary interventions could represent an important resource to oppose AD due to their influence in neuroprotection and immune regulation.
Topics: Animals; Alzheimer Disease; Lipopolysaccharides; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Oxidative Stress; Inflammation; Cognitive Dysfunction; Diet; Models, Animal; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 36982996
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065921 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2022Plasmalogens, functional glycerophospholipids with biological roles in the human body, are associated with various diseases. Although a variety of saturated and/or...
Plasmalogens, functional glycerophospholipids with biological roles in the human body, are associated with various diseases. Although a variety of saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids in plasmalogens are presumed to have different functions in the human body, there are limited reports validating such functions of plasmalogens. In this study, we focused on the bacterial plasmalogen derived from subsp. (NBRC No. 103574) with different main species of hydrocarbon chains at the -1 position and shorter fatty acids at the -2 position than animal plasmalogens. Optimum culture conditions of for high-yield production of plasmalogens, such as pH and the concentration of caproic acid, were investigated under anaerobic conditions using a 2-L scale jar fermenter. The obtained plasmalogen mainly consisted of the ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn). The molar ratios of PlsEtn species obtained from , at -1/-2 positions, were p16:1/14:0 (68.4%), p16:1/16:1 (29.2%), p16:1/16:0 (0.7%), p16:1/15:0 (0.3%), and p17:1/14:0 (0.3%). Subsequently, duodenal infusion of the emulsion carrying the lipid extracted from was carried out in lymph duct-cannulated rats. In the lymphatic plasmalogen of rats, the level of PlsEtns with molar ratios p16:1/14:0 and p16:1/16:1, the main species of plasmalogens from , increased gradually until 3-4 h after lipid injection and then gradually decreased. In addition, the level of PlsEtns with p16:1/20:4 and p16:1/22:6 rapidly increased, peaking at 1-1.5 h and 1.5-2 h after lipid injection, respectively. The increase in the number of PlsEtns with p16:1/20:4 and p16:1/22:6 suggested that 20:4 and 22:6, the main fatty acids at the -2 position in the rat lymphatic plasmalogen, were preferentially re-esterified at the -2 position, regardless of the types of hydrocarbon chains at the -1 position. Thus, we showed that bacterial PlsEtns with "unnatural" structures against rats could be absorbed into the lymph. Our findings provide insights into the association between the chemical structure of plasmalogens and their biological functions in humans.
PubMed: 35392167
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.836186 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2022Plasmalogens are glycerophospholipids with a hallmark -1 vinyl ether bond that endows them with unique physical-chemical properties. They have proposed biological roles... (Review)
Review
Plasmalogens are glycerophospholipids with a hallmark -1 vinyl ether bond that endows them with unique physical-chemical properties. They have proposed biological roles in membrane organization, fluidity, signaling, and antioxidative functions, and abnormal plasmalogen levels correlate with various human pathologies, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. The presence of plasmalogens in animals and in anaerobic bacteria, but not in plants and fungi, is well-documented. However, their occurrence in the obligately aerobic myxobacteria, exceptional among aerobic bacteria, is often overlooked. Tellingly, discovery of the key desaturase indispensable for vinyl ether bond formation, and therefore fundamental in plasmalogen biogenesis, emerged from delving into how the soil myxobacterium responds to light. A recent pioneering study unmasked myxobacterial CarF and its human ortholog TMEM189 as the long-sought plasmanylethanolamine desaturase (PEDS1), thus opening a crucial door to study plasmalogen biogenesis, functions, and roles in disease. The findings demonstrated the broad evolutionary sweep of the enzyme and also firmly established a specific signaling role for plasmalogens in a photooxidative stress response. Here, we will recount our take on this fascinating story and its implications, and review the current state of knowledge on plasmalogens, their biosynthesis and functions in the aerobic myxobacteria.
PubMed: 35646900
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.884689 -
Membranes Aug 2023Plasmalogens are a unique family of cellular glycerophospholipids that contain a vinyl-ether bond. The synthesis of plasmalogens is initiated in peroxisomes and... (Review)
Review
Plasmalogens are a unique family of cellular glycerophospholipids that contain a vinyl-ether bond. The synthesis of plasmalogens is initiated in peroxisomes and completed in the endoplasmic reticulum. Plasmalogens are transported to the post-Golgi compartment, including endosomes and plasma membranes, in a manner dependent on ATP, but not vesicular transport. Plasmalogens are preferentially localized in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in a manner dependent on P4-type ATPase ATP8B2, that associates with the CDC50 subunit. Plasmalogen biosynthesis is spatiotemporally regulated by a feedback mechanism that senses the amount of plasmalogens in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and controls the stability of fatty acyl-CoA reductase 1 (FAR1), the rate-limiting enzyme for plasmalogen biosynthesis. The physiological consequences of such asymmetric localization and homeostasis of plasmalogens are discussed in this review.
PubMed: 37755186
DOI: 10.3390/membranes13090764