Lipidomics update - January 2011

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

Vitamin D
The vitamin D group of secosteroids is important in bone mineralization and may play a role in several other diseases.

Research highlights

Pharmacology: Sphingolipid link to improved pain therapy
Two major limitations of opiate therapy — tolerance to the drug and reduction in patients' sensory thresholds — might be overcome by co-administration of sphingosine-1-phosphate inhibitors.
Obesity and diabetes: Helping PIP3 to get in on the Akt
Blocking the production of the inositol pyrophosphate IP7 facilitates the activation of Akt by PIP3, and protects mice against obesity and insulin resistance.
Macrophages: Lipids and stress — a deadly duo

A combination of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and atherogenic lipids or lipoproteins triggers the macrophage apoptosis and plaque necrosis that are necessary for clinical disease.
Membrane trafficking: On track for delivery

ILK has an important function in directing caveolae, which are important for cholesterol transport, to the plasma membrane.
IBD: Prostaglandin E2 inhibits fibroblast migration in intestinal wound healing

Inhibition of colonic lamina propria fibroblast migration by PGE2 might be a factor in impaired intestinal wound healing in IBD.