Lipid Homeostasis and Function

Abstract

We have developed a new approach to study lipid homeostasis and function which we call systematic lipidomics. It shows that the determined lipidome allows inferences about genetic background and has shown the tight relationship between the nutrient environment and lipid homeostasis. It represents therefore a new, rich source of biological information and has potential applications in medicine. We have recently focused on the role of ceramides in the response to anoxia after having isolated mutants in ceramide synthases that cause hypersensitivity or resistance to anoxia in worms. Using high resolution mass spectrometry we have shown that deoxyvceramides accumulate during anoxia and they seem to play a crucial role in determining the hypersensitivity to anoxia. Their mode of action seems to be through effects on mitochondria and the actin cytoskeleton. Our results would suggest that death after treatment under anoxic conditions involves generation of reactive oxygen species and therefore occurs during reoxygenation rather than during oxygen deprivation.Support or Funding InformationSwiss National Science Foundation, Swiss National Center of Competence in Research i (NCCR) n Chemical Biology