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Metabolism and functions of docosahexaenoic acid‐containing membrane glycerophospholipids
Author(s) -
Hishikawa Daisuke,
Valentine William J.,
IizukaHishikawa Yoshiko,
Shindou Hideo,
Shimizu Takao
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.12825
Subject(s) - docosahexaenoic acid , glycerophospholipids , eicosapentaenoic acid , membrane , biochemistry , chemistry , membrane fluidity , lipid signaling , microbiology and biotechnology , fatty acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , receptor , biology , phospholipid
Omega‐3 (ω‐3) fatty acids ( FA s) such as docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) and eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) are known to have important roles in human health and disease. Besides being utilized as fuel, ω‐3 FA s have specific functions based on their structural characteristics. These functions include serving as ligands for several receptors, precursors of lipid mediators, and components of membrane glycerophospholipids ( GPL s). Since ω‐3 FA s (especially DHA ) are highly flexible, the levels of DHA in GPL s may affect membrane biophysical properties such as fluidity, flexibility, and thickness. Here, we summarize some of the cellular mechanisms for incorporating DHA into membrane GPL s and propose biological effects and functions of DHA ‐containing membranes of several cell and tissue types.