Cell biological functions of fatty acyl chains in biological membranes

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23227004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Functional biochemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Arai Hiroyuki 東京大学, 大学院薬学系研究科(薬学部), 教授 (40167987)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 河野 望 東京大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 講師 (50451852)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 生体膜 / 脂肪酸 / リン脂質 / アシルトランスフェラーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Fatty acids in membrane phospholipids of mammalian cells and tissues exhibit considerable structural diversity. However, cell biological functions of fatty acyl chains in biological membranes have remained poorly understood. We have recently identified a group of enzymes that regulate fatty acid composition in membrane phospholipids. Based on the findings, we developed methods for manipulating fatty acid composition in membrane phospholipids to explore cell biological functions of fatty acyl chains in biological membranes. We found that specific phospholipid molecular species was required for endocytosis, cell adhesion, and mitochondrial fusion. We also identified proteins whose activity, stability or localization was affected by changes in fatty acid composition in membrane phospholipids. Moreover we found that molecular mechanisms that maintain fatty acid composition in membrane and that an aberrant fatty acid composition in membrane caused inflammatory response and steatosis.

Free Research Field

脂質生物学