Project 2: Role of LPCAT3 in Adipose Remodeling and Metabolic Diseases

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Project 2: Role of LPCAT3 in Adipose Remodeling Mi-Jeong Lee, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, CTAHR Higher mass of dysfunctional adipose tissues in obesity increases risk of metabolic diseases, a major public health concern. Dietary factors are important regulators of adipose remodeling and systemic energy metabolism. Lard-based high fat diets induce excessive remodeling of adipose tissues in animal models of obesity and metabolic diseases. Depending on types of fat used, their effects on metabolic health vary and omega-3 poly- unsaturated fatty acids enriched in fish oil have health benefits while saturated fatty acids impair insulin signaling and induce proinflammatory responses. The objective of our work is to elucidate the molecular details and mechanisms through which omega-3 vs. saturated fat exerts protective effects on adipose tissue function and systemic metabolism. We will test a novel hypothesis that omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids lead to healthier remodeling of adipose tissues through incorporation into membrane phospholipids altering membrane biology and production of bioactive lipids. We will assess the importance of a phospholipid remodeling enzyme lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) 3, which preferentially add poly-unsaturated fatty acids into membrane phospholipids, in mediating the beneficial effects of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids. The proposed studies are expected to identify new strategies to improve adipose tissue function and hence, systemic metabolic health.