Biochemistry of Cardiolipin: Sensitivity to Dietary Fatty Acids

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the nutritional, immunologic, and lipid–protein interaction aspects of cardiolipin (CL), with emphasis on mammalian systems. Phosphatidyl glycerol (PG and bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate [bis(MAG)P] are considered briefly in the chapter, with respect to CL synthesis. CL is a highly conserved phospholipid component of the mitochondrial membrane. The physiological role and nutritional sensitivity of this phospholipid class historically have been overlooked or poorly understood. The physiological effects of changes in the amounts and acyl composition of PG and CL in microbes and plants are also reviewed in the chapter. CL is best considered one of the members of a family of polyglycerophospholipids. These molecules share common structures or biosynthetic routes and help explain both the function and the relative sensitivity of CL to nutritional modulation. Whereas many of the polyglycerophospholipids historically have been considered solely precursors of CL, new information about their unique abundance and activities in particular cells or organelles would argue against this oversimplification. Detailed information on the precise functions of these compounds, however, is lacking.