Fatty acid handling in mammalian cells

LEHNER, RICHARD; QUIROGA AD

Biochemistry of Lipids, Lipoproteins and Membranes

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Año: 2022; p. 161 - 200

Long-chain fatty acids are crucial for a number of functions in mammals. Theyare essential components in phospholipids that form biological membranes; they are a very important substrate for energy production in muscle, heart and liver. Long-chain fatty acids are crucial for a number of functions in mammals. Fatty acids covalently modify diverse proteins, thereby regulating their interaction with membranes, activity and cellular localisation. Fatty acids function as signalling molecules in metabolic processes, and regulate immune responses through synthesis of eicosanoids and through toll-like receptors (TLRs). Finally, fatty acids control the expression of a number of important genes. This chapter focuses on de novo fatty acid synthesis, uptake of exogenous fatty acid into cells and utilisation of fatty acids for various cellular purposes including regulation of ATP production (oxidation) in mitochondria, energy storage (TG synthesis) and signalling.