Identification of genes and signalling pathways modulated by extracellular hydrolysis products of triglycerides and phospholipids

脂质是细胞膜的重要组成部分，可以为细胞提供能量，并可以作为细胞内的信号分子触发生物功能。通过饮食获得的脂质，以及一些可以由细胞合成的脂质，在所有哺乳动物中都是通过称为脂蛋白的大复合物在循环中运输的。低密度脂蛋白（也被称为“坏胆固醇”）和高密度脂蛋白（也被称为“好胆固醇”）。甘油三酯和磷脂通过一组被称为脂肪酶的酶与脂蛋白相关联，在循环中分解，形成“水解产物”，如脂肪酸。水解产物可以从循环输送到细胞。一些证据支持循环中的特定水解产物可能触发生物功能的观点，其中一些可能是有益的，而另一些可能对细胞的正常功能有害。我们nserc资助的研究的重点是了解由脂肪酶对脂蛋白作用后水解产物调节的细胞功能。我们的研究可能会对进一步了解脂质如何在细胞水平上对各种疾病（如肥胖和心脏病）做出贡献产生影响。

Lipids are important components of cell membranes, can supply energy to cells, and can act as signalling molecules within cells to trigger biological functions. Lipids that are obtained through diet, as well as some of the lipids that can be synthesized by cells, are transported in the circulation in all mammals by large complexes known as lipoproteins (ie. the lipoproteins LDL - also known as 'bad cholesterol', and HDL - also known as 'good cholesterol'). The break-down in the circulation of triglycerides and phospholipids that are associated with lipoproteins by a group of enzymes known as lipases results in the formation of 'hydrolysis products', such as fatty acids. The hydrolysis products can be delivered from the circulation to cells. Some evidence exists to support the idea that specific hydrolysis products from the circulation might trigger biological functions - some of which may be beneficial and some of which may be detrimental to the normal function of cells. The focus of our NSERC-funded research is to understand the cell functions that are modulated by hydrolysis products following the action of lipases on lipoproteins. Our studies will likely have an impact in further understanding how lipids may contribute at the level of the cell to a variety of ailments, such as obesity and heart disease.