Lipidomics update - April 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

Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate
Known traditionally for roles in membrane trafficking, receptor signaling, nutrient sensing and autophagy, this lipid now has an emerging role in cytokinesis.

Research highlights

Obesity and diabetes: revealing a receptor for CLA
Conjugated linoleic acids increase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via the G protein coupled receptor GPR40, which is a current type 2 diabetes target.
Techniques: Lipids probed by Raman spectroscopy in living cells
A method devised by bioenergy researchers provides rapid, real-time information about the abundance and chemical composition of lipids in a single cell.
Vascular disease: Cholesterol-efflux capacity might be the key to the protective effects of HDL
The capacity of HDL to promote cholesterol efflux from macrophages, an important step of reverse cholesterol transport, predicts atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Mucosal immunology: Acid attack
Retinoic acid, a Vitamin A metabolite, can team up with interleukin-15 (IL-15) to drive pro-inflammatory responses against food antigens.
Cancer: Nanoliposomal delivery of ceramide prevents growth of hepatocellular carcinoma
A nanoscale delivery system developed for ceramide, which uses liposomes, has shown efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models of hepatocellular carcinoma.