Dissection of the effects by extracellular hydrolysis products of triglycerides and phospholipids on cellular functions

脂类具有多种生物学功能。它们是细胞膜的重要组成部分，它们可以为细胞提供能量，并可以影响细胞的生物功能。通过饮食获得的脂类，以及一些可以由细胞合成的脂类，通过称为脂蛋白的大复合体在所有哺乳动物的循环中运输。众所周知的脂蛋白包括低密度脂蛋白(“坏胆固醇”)和高密度脂蛋白(“好胆固醇”)。一组被称为脂肪酶的酶分解循环中的脂肪，形成“水解物”。这些水解物包括脂肪酸。水解物可以从循环输送到细胞。我们之前已经证明，水解物可以改变细胞功能。一些改变的功能可能是有益的，一些可能是有害的细胞的正常功能。我们NSERC资助的研究的重点是了解水解物影响的细胞功能。我们的研究可能会对进一步了解脂质在各种疾病(如肥胖症和心脏病)的细胞水平上的作用产生未来的影响。

Lipids have numerous biological functions. They are an important component of cell membranes, they can supply energy to cells, and they can affect biological functions in cells. Lipids that are obtained through diet, as well as some of the lipids that can be synthesized by cells, are transported in the circulation of all mammals by large complexes known as lipoproteins. Well known lipoproteins include LDL (the “bad cholesterol”) and HDL (the “good cholesterol”). The break-down of lipids in the circulation by a group of enzymes known as lipases results in the formation of “hydrolysis products”. These hydrolysis products include fatty acids. The hydrolysis products can be delivered from the circulation to cells. We previously showed that hydrolysis products can alter cell functions. Some of the altered functions may be beneficial and some may be detrimental to the normal function of cells. The focus of our NSERC-funded research is to understand the cell functions that are affected by hydrolysis products. Our studies will likely have a future impact in further understanding how lipids contribute at the cell level in a variety of ailments, such as obesity and heart disease.