Abstract
Fluidity of cellular membranes is essential for life. Two possibilities are known to keep human membranes fluid: unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol. Whereas liver cells can synthesize cholesterol, unsaturated fatty acids are essential. Life style in Western civilization leads to deprivation of essential fatty acids, to elevated serum-cholesterol-levels and to autoimmunity. Here the hypothesis is presented, and explains the relationship: deprivation of essential fatty acids lead to imminent quasi-crystallization of the membrane. Serum cholesterol-levels are elevated. Incorporation of cholesterol into membranes enhancing fluidity again, is able to repair the effect. At saturation, repair fails. Quasi-crystallization occurs. Proteins tilt into another conformation. This has not been learned during the “self” recognition process of the immune system during the embryonic phase. Immune system attacks the new conformation as “non-self”, autoimmunity emerges.
Highlights
All cells are enclosed in cellular membranes
Few molecules are able to permeate passively through the membrane, and most are actively transported with a carrier protein
In the human cellular membrane, in addition to the essential fatty acids, cholesterol is well known to enhance the fluidity of the structure [3]
Summary
Membrane Fluidity; Autoimmunity; Essential Fatty Acids; Cholesterol; Protein Conformation Cells recognize each other through receptor proteins on their membrane surface. In case of a temperature decrease, without biochemical correction, part of the membrane falls in quasi-crystalline structure. Cells regulate the transition temperature of their membranes with variation of components. Saturated fatty acids form straight chains; this quasi-crystallization is easier, the transition temperature is higher.
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