Lipidomics update - July 2010
The lipidomics update provides an overview of developments in lipid research. Each month we offer a fresh collection of research, news and events for the specialist and the interested non-specialist alike. Register for our email alert to stay informed.
Lipid of the month
Capsaicin
The pungent vanilloid compound capsaicin, or 8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6E-nonenamide, evokes the burning pain associated with eating chili peppers.
Research highlights
Pain sensation: Hot lipids, chili responseExposure of cell membranes to noxious heat generates oxidized linoleic acid metabolites that activate transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1).
Membrane phospholipids: Stressing saturationThe unfolded protein response is induced by an increase in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in membrane phospholipids.
Multiple photodiode detectors are used to track the transit of dye-labeled single lipids through an excitation spot at high resolution.
Autophagy: From one membrane to anotherThe mitochondrial outer membrane is a source of starvation-induced autophagosomes.
Watching single lipids moveNews
- Firms chase diabetic inflammation with anti-IL-1β antibodies
- Biologists tackle cells' identity crisis
- Diabetes drug woes spell trouble for the entire drug family
- Companies pledge to make more trial data public
- Diseased cells fail to win approval
- Lind guidelines offer a checklist for research priorities
Events calendar
Lipids in a Developmental Perspective
8 - 9 November, 2010
Lipid Biology and Lipotoxicity
15 - 20 May, 2011
Research library
- Melanocortin signaling in the CNS directly regulates circulating cholesterol Nature Neuroscience
- Vitamin E prevents lipid raft modifications induced by an anti-cancer lysophospholipid and abolishes a Yap1 mediated stress response in yeast Journal of Biological Chemistry
- more from the research library
