About the structure and biological function of MaR
Structure. Maresins (MaR) belong to the group of docosanoids within the fatty acyls. Their structure is based on docosanoic acid, a twenty-two carbon atoms long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group. The chain contains six double bonds of which at least three are in conjugation. MaRs contain at least one oxygen containing substituent. They differ from resolvin Ds in their biosynthetic route.
Function. The biological function of maresins is linked to the resolution of inflammation. They are lipid mediators with interact with G-protein-coupled receptors and belong to the ‘Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators’ (SPMs), fatty acyls which resolve the pro-inflammatory activities of other fatty acyls, such as prostaglandins. MaRs are produced at the site of inflammation to help tissues to return to health and limiting the recruitment of pro-inflammatory immune cells.
