The effect of natural and synthetic fatty acids on membrane structure, microdomain organization, cellular functions and human health

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 1838; no. 6; pp. 1518 - 1528
• Main Authors: Ibarguren, Maitane, López, David J., Escribá, Pablo V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2014
• Subjects: 2-Hydroxylated fatty acid; Cell Membrane Structures - chemistry; Cell Membrane Structures - metabolism; Cell Physiological Phenomena; Fatty acid; Fatty Acids - chemistry; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Humans; Membrane domains; Membrane Microdomains - chemistry; Membrane Microdomains - metabolism; Membrane structure; Membrane domains; 2-Hydroxylated fatty acid; Membrane structure; Fatty acid
• ISSN: 0005-2736; 0006-3002; 1879-2642
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.12.021

This review deals with the effects of synthetic and natural fatty acids on the biophysical properties of membranes, and on their implication on cell function. Natural fatty acids are constituents of more complex lipids, like triacylglycerides or phospholipids, which are used by cells to store and obtain energy, as well as for structural purposes. Accordingly, natural and synthetic fatty acids may modify the structure of the lipid membrane, altering its microdomain organization and other physical properties, and provoking changes in cell signaling. Therefore, by modulating fatty acids it is possible to regulate the structure of the membrane, influencing the cell processes that are reliant on this structure and potentially reverting pathological cell dysfunctions that may provoke cancer, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The so-called Membrane Lipid Therapy offers a strategy to regulate the membrane composition through drug administration, potentially reverting pathological processes by re-adapting cell membrane structure. Certain fatty acids and their synthetic derivatives are described here that may potentially be used in such therapies, where the cell membrane itself can be considered as a target to combat disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology and Therapy. [Display omitted] •Natural and synthetic fatty acids modify the physical properties of lipid membranes.•Fatty acids are involved in cell signaling processes and pathological states of cell.•Changes of the membrane lipid structure may revert cell dysfunctions.•2-Hydroxy fatty acids show greater therapeutic effects than their natural counterparts.•The low metabolization rate of 2-hydroxy fatty acids may explain their greater therapeutic effect.