Biological role of asymmetric distribution of fatty acids in membrane phospholipids

2009 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20890047
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (Start-up)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: TOKUOKA Suzumi The University of Tokyo, 大学院・医学系研究科, 特任助教 (60511376)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2009
• Keywords: リン脂質 / アシル転移酵素 / 神経細胞

Research Abstract

We have studied phospholipid-remodeling enzymes that are possibly involved in fatty acid composition in glycerophospholipid. Our study has revealed that some of the enzymes have specific expression pattern in neuron in mice brain. We have established a method that manipulates fatty acid composition in phospholipid in neuron by using mouse primary hippocampal neuronal culture. Our results suggest the possibility that neuronal function may differ between cells that have different fatty acid composition. We are currently investigating the enzymes that are involved in this functional change by modulation of fatty acid composition.