Fatty acid handling in mammalian cells

LEHNER R; QUIROGA, ARIEL DARIO

Biochemistry of Lipids, Lipoproteins and Membranes

Elsevier

Año: 2015; p. 150 - 182

Long-chain fatty acids are crucial for a number of functions in mammals. They are essentialcomponents in phospholipids that form biological membranes, and they are a very importantsubstrate for energy production in muscle, heart and in liver. Fatty acids covalently modifydiverse proteins, thereby regulating their interaction with membranes, activity and cellularlocalization. Fatty acids function as signaling molecules in metabolic processes, regulate immuneresponses through synthesis of eicosanoids and through Toll-like receptors. Finally, fatty acidscontrol the expression of a number of important genes. This chapter focuses on the enzymologyand regulation of fatty acid synthesis, transport of fatty acids across cellular membranes,intracellular fatty acid trafficking and incorporation into triacylglycerol. The chapter alsodiscusses recent advances in the regulation of fatty acid release from intracellular storage poolsand their use in energy and heat production. Finally, detrimental and positive effects of fattyacids on cellular processes are reviewed.