Researchers at Oslo University Hospital applied lipidomics when using lipid metabolism inhibitors and discovered an unexpected modulation of lipid metabolism.
The research behind
The cell membrane is mainly built of different types of lipids. Among these, diacylglycerol lipids (DAG) and phosphatidic acid lipids (PA) do not only contribute to the structure of the cell membrane. Both lipid classes are also important messengers that can regulate transport of proteins between different compartments of the cell.
For example: they are involved in transporting proteins from the Golgi apparatus, where many proteins are modified, to endosomes, cellular transport vesicles. Modulation of DAG and PA levels affects this process.
Often, specific inhibitors for the lipids of interest are used when performing such modulation experiments. As lipid metabolism is interwoven, one specific inhibitor can unexpectedly affect another lipid. In this case, the researchers of the Sandvig group at Oslo University Hospital discovered that the inhibitor targeting PA increased DAG levels.
Resources
1 – Publication: Diacylglycerol kinase and phospholipase D inhibitors alter the cellular lipidome and endosomal sorting towards the Golgi apparatus
2 – Statement of the Sandvig Group at Oslo University Hospital
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