Acyl-CoA Synthetases as regulators of brain phospholipid acyl-chain diversity

Fatty acids are critical substrates for numerous metabolic processes, have high potential for energy production, and serve as the foundation for cellular membrane hydrophobic regions. Across the body, the distribution and metabolic fate of fatty acids are highly differential. Metabolically, fatty acid fate can be placed into three major categories: oxidation for energy, storage as triacylglycerol, and use for phospholipid synthesis and remodeling. While the oxidation and storage of fatty acids are the main metabolic fates for certain cell types or in response to feeding/fasting conditions, the use of fatty acids for incorporation into phospholipids, either new or during remodeling, is a major metabolic fate of all cells across the body and under all metabolic conditions because phospholipids are critical structural components of all membranes.
Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research