Lipids in biological systems

Advanced analytical techniques, particularly mass spectrometry (MS), often combined with liquid chromatography (LC) or gas chromatography (GC), are requisite for lipid analysis and they have played the crucial role in the emergence as well as the progresses of lipidomics. MS is the principal choice for the lipid analysis, particularly using electrospray ionization (ESI) and sometimes also atmospheric pressure chemical ionization or laser-based MS methods for surface analysis. The MS-based techniques are the best choice for lipidomics due to their superior sensitivity and molecular specificity, and because they provide the ability to resolve the extensive compositional and structural diversity of lipids in biological systems. 

In any attempt to evaluate adequately the activity or role of lipids in biological systems, it is of prime importance to acquire a firm understanding of their chemistry. This discussion will emphasize the chemical characteristics... 

The crystallization and solidification properties of lipids are important physical attributes that influence the functional properties of lipids in biological systems, foods, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and oleo chemicals. A basic understanding of lipid crystallization and solidification is fundamental to understanding and optimizing products or systems containing lipids. 

Hadley, N. F., 1985, "The Adaptive Role of Lipids in Biological Systems,"... 

Cajka T, Fiehn O. Comprehensive analysis of lipids in biological systems by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Trends Anal Chem. 2014 61 192-206. 

Although several technologies have been used in lipidomics to identify, quantify, and understand the structure and function of lipids in biological systems, it is clear that the progress of lipidomics has been accelerated by the development of modern mass spectrometry (e.g., electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization). Mass spectrometric analysis of lipids plays a key role in the discipline. Therefore, this book is focused on the mass spectrometry of lipids that has occurred in these years. Other technologies for analysis of lipids, particularly those with chromatography, can be found in the book entitled Lipid Analysis Isolation, Separation, Identification and Lipidomic Analysis written by Drs William W. Christie and Xianlin Han. Readers who are interested in classical techniques and applications of mass spectrometry for analysis of lipids should refer to Dr Robert C. Murphy s book entitled Mass Spectrometry of Lipids. 

N.F. HADLEY - The adaptive role of lipids in biological systems, J. Wiley and Sons, New York, 1985, 319 pp. 

Interactions between macromolecules (protems, lipids, DNA,.. . ) or biological structures (e.g. membranes) are considerably more complex than the interactions described m the two preceding paragraphs. The sum of all biological mteractions at the molecular level is the basis of the complex mechanisms of life. In addition to computer simulations, direct force measurements [98], especially the surface forces apparatus, represent an invaluable tool to help understand the molecular interactions in biological systems. 

In biological systems molecular assemblies connected by non-covalent interactions are as common as biopolymers. Examples arc protein and DNA helices, enzyme-substrate and multienzyme complexes, bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs), and aggregates of biopolymers forming various aqueous gels, e.g, the eye lens. About 50% of the organic substances in humans are accounted for by the membrane structures of cells, which constitute the medium for the vast majority of biochemical reactions. Evidently organic synthesis should also develop tools to mimic the Structure and propertiesof biopolymer, biomembrane, and gel structures in aqueous media. 

The lipids found in biological systems are either hydrophobic (containing only nonpolar groups) or amphipathic, which means they possess both polar and nonpolar groups. The hydrophobic nature of lipid molecules allows membranes to act as effective barriers to more polar molecules. In this chapter, we discuss the chemical and physical properties of the various classes of lipid molecules. The following chapter considers membranes, whose properties depend intimately on their lipid constituents. 

The fatty adds commonly encountered in biological systems are straight chained alkanoic or alkenoic adds, containing an even number of carbon atoms (usually Ch-Ch). natural n Senera / these fatty adds can be produced readily by extraction of the lipids from sources natural sources and saponifying the neutral triglycerides. This is satisfactory providing a mixture of fatty acids is acceptable. Purification of spedfic fatty adds from the saponification mixture increases the costs considerably. 

Gutteridge, J.M.C. and Halliwell, B. (1990). The measurement and mechanism of lipid peroxidation in biological systems. TIBS 15, 129-135. 

The compounds that are identifiable in the sea represent a vast array of biochemicals attributable to the life and death of marine plants and animals. They are generally grouped into six classes based on structural similarities hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleic acids. Because they represent compounds that can be quantified and understood for their chemical properties and known role in biological systems, a great deal of information has been accumulated over the years about these groups and the specific compounds found within them.7... 

In biological systems, sensitizers such as porphyrins, chlorophylls, and riboflavin can sensitize 02 production and this can lead to deleterious effects including DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. 

Lipid peroxidation is probably the most studied oxidative process in biological systems. At present, Medline cites about 30,000 publications on lipid peroxidation, but the total number of studies must be much more because Medline does not include publications before 1970. Most of the earlier studies are in vitro studies, in which lipid peroxidation is carried out in lipid suspensions, cellular organelles (mitochondria and microsomes), or cells and initiated by simple chemical free radical-produced systems (the Fenton reaction, ferrous ions + ascorbate, carbon tetrachloride, etc). In these in vitro experiments reaction products (mainly, malon-dialdehyde (MDA), lipid hydroperoxides, and diene conjugates) were analyzed by physicochemical methods (optical spectroscopy and later on, HPLC and EPR spectroscopies). These studies gave the important information concerning the mechanism of lipid peroxidation, the structures of reaction products, etc. 

Lipidated peptides embodying the characteristic linkage region found in the parent lipoproteins and bearing additional functional groups, which could be traced in biological systems or which allowed for their use in biophysical experiments, were used successfully in model studies. However, such model studies only provide a limited amount of information. In order to approximate the situation in a biological system more precisely, experiments with differently lipidated proteins are required. 

In biological systems, one often observes membrane structures with nonzero spontaneous curvatures, e.g. in mitochondria. This type of bilayer structure is also essential in various transport related processes such as endo- and exocy-tosis (see Chapter 8 of this volume). These curved membrane systems may be stabilised by protein aggregation in the bilayer, or may be the result of the fact that biological membranes are constantly kept off-equilibrium by lipid transport and/or by (active) transport processes across the bilayer. These interesting... 

Pseudo-glycolipids. The interest for glycolipids is connected with their occurrence in biological systems, as well as their physicochemical properties, the two viewpoints being sometimes correlated. For example in membranes, lipid rafts are sub-domains which contain liquid-ordered phases.73... 

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