Phospholipid Classes Research Articles

Are Phosphatidylcholine and Lysophosphatidylcholine Body Levels Potentially Reliable Biomarkers in Obesity? A Review of Human Studies.

Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) are the major components of biological membranes in animals and are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup. Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) are a class of lipid biomolecules derived from the cleavage of PCs, and are the main components of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Since obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, one can anticipate that the lipidomic profile changes in this context and both PCs and LPCs are gaining attention as hypothetically reliable biomarkers of obesity. Thus, a literature search is performed on PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS), and Excerpta Medica DataBASE (Embase) to obtain the findings of population studies to clarify this hypothesis. The search strategy resulted in a total of 2403 reports and 21 studies were included according to the eligibility criteria. Controversial data on the associations of PCs and LPCs with body mass index (BMI) and body fat parameters have been identified. There is an inverse relationship between BMI and most species of PCs, and a majority of studies exhibited negative associations between BMI and LPCs. Other findings regarding the differences between PCs and LPCs in obesity are presented, and the associated uncertainties are discussed in detail.

Membrane lipid changes in mouse blastocysts induced by ovarian stimulation, IVF and oocyte vitrification

Research questionIs the membrane lipid profile of mice blastocysts affected by ovarian stimulation, IVF and oocyte vitrification? Could supplementation of vitrification media with L-carnitine and fatty acids prevent membrane phospholipid changes in blastocysts from vitrified oocytes? DesignExperimental study comparing the lipid profile of murine blastocysts produced from natural mating, superovulated cycles or after IVF submitted or not to vitrification. For in-vitro experiments, 562 oocytes from superovulated females were randomly divided into four groups: fresh oocytes fertilized in vitro and vitrified groups: Irvine Scientific (IRV); Tvitri-4 (T4) or T4 supplemented with L-carnitine and fatty acids (T4-LC/FA). Fresh or vitrified–warmed oocytes were inseminated and cultured for 96 h or 120 h. The lipid profile of nine of the best quality blastocysts from each experimental group was assessed by multiple reaction monitoring profiling method. Significantly different lipids or transitions between groups were found using univariate statistics (P < 0.05; fold change = 1.5) and multivariate statistical methods. ResultsA total of 125 lipids in blastocysts were profiled. Statistical analysis revealed several classes of phospholipids affected in the blastocysts by ovarian stimulation, IVF, oocyte vitrification, or all. L-carnitine and fatty acid supplements prevented, to a certain extent, changes in phospholipid and sphingolipid contents in the blastocysts. ConclusionOvarian stimulation alone, or in association with IVF, promoted changes in phospholipid profile and abundance of blastocysts. A short exposure time to the lipid-based solutions during oocyte vitrification was sufficient to induce changes in the lipid profile that were sustained until the blastocyst stage.

Heterogeneous Distribution of Phospholipid Molecular Species in the Surface Culture of Flammulina velutipes: New Facts about Lipids Containing α-Linolenic Fatty Acid.

Mycelial fungi grow as colonies consisting of polar growing hyphae, developing radially from spore or inoculum. Over time, the colony develops, hyphae are subject to various exogenous or endogenous stimuli, and mycelium becomes heterogeneous in growth, gene expression, biosynthesis, and secretion of proteins and metabolites. Although the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of mycelium heterogeneity have been the subject of many studies, the role of lipids in colony development and zonality is still not understood. This work was undertaken to extend our knowledge of mycelium heterogeneity and to answer the question of how different lipid molecular species are distributed in the surface colony of the basidial fungus Flammulina velutipes and how this distribution correlates with its morphology. The heterogeneity in the lipid metabolism and lipid composition of the fungal mycelium was demonstrated. According to the real-time PCR and LC-MS/MS results, the expression of genes of PC metabolism, accumulation of phospholipid classes, and degree of unsaturation of PC and PE increased in the direction from the center to the periphery of the colony. The peripheral zone of the colony was characterized by a higher value of the PC/PE ratio and a higher level of phospholipids esterified by linolenic acid. Considering that the synthesis of phospholipids in fungi occurs in different ways, we also conducted experiments with deuterium-labeled phospholipid precursors and found out that the Kennedy pathway is the predominant route for PC biosynthesis in F. velutipes. The zonal differences in gene expression and lipid composition can be explained by the participation of membrane lipids in polar growth maintenance and regulation.

Successful acclimation of marine diatoms Chaetoceros curvisetus/pseudocurvisetus to climate change

AbstractTwo main parameters that structure the marine ecosystem by affecting species distribution, abundance, community structure, timing of major life cycle events, and trophic state of the ecosystem are temperature and nutrient availability. Faced with climate change, eukaryotic plankton cope at multiple levels through physiological accommodation, adaptive evolution, shift in time and/or space of habitat, and/or community responses. Thirty‐two years of our phytoplankton research indicate that Chaetoceros curvisetus/pseudocurvisetus adjust to climate change more successfully than the majority of the accompanying phytoplankton taxa in the mesotrophic part of the NW Adriatic Sea, the Mediterranean. While the abundance of the entire accompanying phytoplankton community has decreased significantly since 2003 (the period of the northern Adriatic warming and oligotrophication) compared to the previous period (1986–2003), the abundance of C. curvisetus/pseudocurvisetus remained unchanged, while its contribution to the community increased significantly. Accommodation strategies include a change in the timing of high abundance and blooms in the surface layer and successful blooming in the deeper layers during warm months. Apart from the observed in situ accommodation, physiological acclimation to warming may involve changes in photosynthesis, respiration, growth, and cell biochemistry. Here, we conducted laboratory experiments with C. pseudocurvisetus to investigate how warming affects its biochemical response through the fatty acid remodeling of phospholipid classes. Long‐term field observations and short‐term laboratory experiments suggest that marine diatoms C. curvisetus/pseudocurvisetus are potential global winners with the ability to acclimate/adapt to climate change.

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of five phospholipid classes in various matrices

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, can be used to separate and determine various polar lipid classes. The development of an HILIC chromatographic separation of several molecular species among five phospholipid classes (PC, PE, PG, PI and PS) is reported here. In this method, a gradient with acetonitrile and 40 mM ammonium acetate buffer was employed. The initial composition was 95% of acetonitrile, then this proportion was decreased to 70% in order to elute all the compounds of interest for a total running time of 11 mins. Furthermore, mobile phase pH can affect the ionizable character of the compounds, according to their pKa values, and also the stationary phase charge state. The influence of such a parameter on both retention times and resolution was evaluated. Besides, the response of different kinds of internal standards (post-extraction standard addition) was evaluated in four different biological matrices, two microalgae extracts and two marine fish extracts. This study found that the recovery rates were between 70 and 140% of the expected value, with relative standard deviations between 10 and 35%, and then limited matrix effects.•HILIC approach can be used to separate phospholipid according to their polar head-group, and electrospray ionization in negative mode as well as MS/MS allows further identification of the molecular species within each phospholipid class.•Matrix effects are low and compensated with appropriate internal standards.•The limits of quantifications were ranging from 0.05 to 0.14 µg.mL−1, depending on the analyte.

Dynamic changes and importance of plasma concentrations of ether phospholipids, of which the majority are plasmalogens, in postpartum Holstein dairy cows.

Ethanolamine plasmalogens (EPls) and choline plasmalogens (CPls) are classes of ethanolamine ether phospholipids (ePE) and choline ether phospholipids (ePC), respectively. EPls play crucial roles in maternal and breastfed infant bodies and stimulate gonadotropin secretion by gonadotrophs. To estimate changes in and importance of plasma concentrations of EPls and CPls, utilising newly developed enzymatic fluorometric assays for ePE and ePC in postpartum Holstein cows. Plasma samples were collected from 3weeks before expected parturition until approximately 8weeks after parturition (16 primiparous and 38 multiparous cows) for analysis. Plasma concentrations of ePE and ePC, most of which are plasmalogens, declined before and increased after parturition and stabilised near the day of the first postpartum ovulation (1stOV). From weeks 2 to 3 after parturition, third-parity cows exhibited ePE concentrations that were higher than those of other parity cows. The days from parturition to 1stOV correlated with days from parturition to conception. On the day of 1stOV, milk yield correlated with plasma concentration of both ePE and ePC, while ePC concentration correlated negatively with milk fat percentage. At the early luteal phase after 1stOV, plasma ePE concentration correlated with plasma anti-Müllerian hormone concentration (r=0.39, P<0.01), and plasma ePC concentration correlated with plasma follicle-stimulating hormone concentration (r=0.43, P<0.01). The concentrations of ePE and ePC changed dramatically around parturition and 1stOV, and the concentrations correlated with important parameters for milk production and reproduction. The blood plasmalogen may play important roles in postpartum dairy cows.

Regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism in Apicomplexan parasites.

Phosphoinositides are a biologically essential class of phospholipids that contribute to organelle membrane identity, modulate membrane trafficking pathways, and are central components of major signal transduction pathways that operate on the cytosolic face of intracellular membranes in eukaryotes. Apicomplexans (such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp.) are obligate intracellular parasites that are important causative agents of disease in animals and humans. Recent advances in molecular and cell biology of Apicomplexan parasites reveal important roles for phosphoinositide signaling in key aspects of parasitosis. These include invasion of host cells, intracellular survival and replication, egress from host cells, and extracellular motility. As Apicomplexans have adapted to the organization of essential signaling pathways to accommodate their complex parasitic lifestyle, these organisms offer experimentally tractable systems for studying the evolution, conservation, and repurposing of phosphoinositide signaling. In this review, we describe the regulatory mechanisms that control the spatial and temporal regulation of phosphoinositides in the Apicomplexan parasites Plasmodium and T. gondii. We further discuss the similarities and differences presented by Apicomplexan phosphoinositide signaling relative to how these pathways are regulated in other eukaryotic organisms.

Exploring the potential effect of phospholipase A2 antibody to extend beef shelf-life in a beef liposome model system

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and a PLA2 antibody (aPLA2) on phospholipid (PL) hydrolysis in beef and to understand how the altered PL composition may affect lipid oxidation and antioxidant capacity of beef in an in vitro system. Various combinations of PLA2 and aPLA2 were introduced to a beef liposome model system and exposed to a retail display. The PL and free fatty acid (FFA) profiles, antioxidant capacity and lipid oxidation were measured for the liposome system. Key PL classes were reduced and the release of polyunsaturated FFAs was increased with the inclusion of PLA2 in the treatments (P < 0.05). There was no inhibition of PL hydrolysis with the addition of aPLA2. PLA2 showed strong antioxidant capacity in the liposome system (P < 0.01), but lipid oxidation still increased in samples treated with PLA2 throughout the retail display (P < 0.01). Finally, aPLA2 treatments demonstrated potential to decrease lipid oxidation (P < 0.01).

Process optimization and kinetics for ultrasonication assisted extraction of phospholipids from ghee residue

AbstractGhee is a major Indian dairy product with a pleasant flavor. During its manufacture, ghee residue is obtained as the by‐product, which consists of substantial quantity of phospholipids. Phospholipids exhibit emulsifying properties and offer some health benefits. The present study aimed to optimize the process parameters for the extraction of phospholipids from ghee residue (GR) using ultrasonication. The GR was subjected to a series of pre‐treatments before ultrasonication. The hot water treatment led to reduction in nonpolar lipids and improved polar lipids (35.47% fat basis). Taguchi orthogonal array design was employed for optimization of ultrasound power, treatment temperature, time and solvent:solid (S:S) ratio with phospholipid content and antioxidant activity as the response variables. The phospholipid content ranged between 18.54% and 23.89% and antioxidant activity of the extracted samples varied from 47.01% to 50.64% expressed as radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay, while for the untreated GR, the PL and antioxidant activity were 4.98% and 32.75%, respectively. The power level of 80%, 80°C treatment temperature, S:S ratio of 15 and sonication time of 4 min. resulted in maximum extraction of phospholipids (24.12%). The yield of phospholipids was quantified as 13.1% and 8.88% by two elution techniques using solid phase extraction methods. The predicted and experimental values for the responses were in good agreement with R2 value of 0.98. Power and temperature were found to be significant (p &lt; 0.01) in influencing phospholipids yield. For antioxidant activity of the extract, S:S ratio exerted significant effect (p &lt; 0.01). The experimental data were fit in four defined empirical models for understanding the extraction kinetics. Based on the R2 values, the models explained the kinetics in the following order: Parabolic model&gt;Power law&gt;Peleg's model&gt;Elovich's model.Practical applicationsPresently, ghee residue is often discarded as waste or used as animal feed by most of the ghee manufacturing dairy plants. Few studies were conducted to incorporate ghee residue as an ingredient in different food products. However, the present study opens new avenues for utilization of this by‐product for extraction of high value bioactive components, that is, phospholipids, with the help of novel technology; namely ultrasonication. The phospholipids have techno‐functional properties as an emulsifier. One of the classes of phospholipids, that is, sphingomyelin has unique health benefits, therefore this extract will also have scope as a nutraceutical. Thus, there is great practical utility for the present findings. In addition, for the scaling up of extraction techniques, the understanding of mass transfer kinetics is very vital and the same had been studied in the present investigation. Thus, the findings of this study are helpful in determining the ideal ultrasound‐assisted extraction conditions for extraction of phospholipids from ghee residue. Kinetics of extraction will help to explore opportunities for scale‐up of the process.

Comparison of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid in mature milk from different sampled regions in the Chinese human milk project (CHMP) study

Milk phospholipids (PLs) are critical components of infant growth. This study aimed to discover PL in mature human milk (HM) from China (n = 201) and mainly assessed the effect caused by sampled regions. The average total PL concentration was quantified from 3.65 to 11.25 mg per g of lipid, and the major PL class identified was sphingomyelin (SM, 38.06–47.62 %), followed by phosphatidylcholine (PC, 29.61–34.39 %), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE, 10.54–24.46 %). In addition, the 36:2 (18:0/18:2), 38:6 (16:0/22:6), 40:1 (d18:1/22:0), and 42:2 (d18:1/24:1) were the most abundant molecular species identified in glycerophospholipid and SM molecular species respectively. Some PL molecular species were strongly related with region of sampling, like lysophosphatidylinositol 18:1 was only detected in Beijing. In conclusion, those findings showed that the PL molecular species and concentration of HM had significant regional diversity, and it will give the Chinese human milk database more accurate PL data.

Comparison of lipidomic profiling and spatial distribution in brain of a genetic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease using DESI Imaging Mass Spectrometry: regional lipid dyshomeostasis in AD.

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the biggest health challenges worldwide. It is culpable for millions of deaths annually, the annual associated costs reach many billions, and these trends are expected to increase dramatically over the next decades. Yet, the underlying cause of AD is not yet understood and therefore no effective treatment is available to date.Lipidomic data from autopsy brain, human plasma and animal models highlight severe lipid dyshomeostasis in AD. Specifically, previous studies have shown that the loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids among multiple phospholipid classes is common in AD affected human brain and mouse models. Thus, the disruption of lipid metabolism and the homeostasis are thought to play a crucial role in the development of AD pathology. It is likely then, that specific pathways in lipid metabolism underlie AD disease mechanisms leading to clinical impairment.Therefore, in order to understand the full etiology and progression of disease, it is critical to identify specific and regionally dysregulated lipid species in both healthy and AD affected brain tissues.MethodIn order to interrogate differences in the lipid species between brains from WT and a genetic mouse model of AD across aging, DESI Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) was used to detect regional composition of brain tissue with the Synapt G2‐Si (Waters). We have successfully developed a workflow for quantitative and qualitative lipidomics profiling for mouse brains by using 10µm coronal‐cut brain slices at 60µm resolution.ResultIn this study, we compared the brains of WT and AD mice of different ages, namely 8, 12 and 22 years old. By applying DESI IMS, we have shown regional dysregulation of specific lipid species in different brain areas including specific early changes in the hypothalamus region of the mouse brain.ConclusionWe have shown that certain ions, such as m/z 327.233 which corresponds with the polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA, is highly abundant in the putative hypothalamus region of AD mouse brains of various ages compared to that of the wild type. This suggests early and persistent dysregulation of polyunsaturated lipid content associated with genetic drivers of AD in a mouse model.

Lipid Dys-Homeostasis Contributes to APOE4-Associated AD Pathology.

The association of the APOE4 (vs. APOE3) isoform with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is unequivocal, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. A prevailing hypothesis incriminates the impaired ability of APOE4 to clear neurotoxic amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) from the brain as the main mechanism linking the apolipoprotein isoform to disease etiology. The APOE protein mediates lipid transport both within the brain and from the brain to the periphery, suggesting that lipids may be potential co-factors in APOE4-associated physiopathology. The present study reveals several changes in the pathways of lipid homeostasis in the brains of mice expressing the human APOE4 vs. APOE3 isoform. Carriers of APOE4 had altered cholesterol turnover, an imbalance in the ratio of specific classes of phospholipids, lower levels of phosphatidylethanolamines bearing polyunsaturated fatty acids and an overall elevation in levels of monounsaturated fatty acids. These modifications in lipid homeostasis were related to increased production of Aβ peptides as well as augmented levels of tau and phosphorylated tau in primary neuronal cultures. This suite of APOE4-associated anomalies in lipid homeostasis and neurotoxic protein levels may be related to the accrued risk for AD in APOE4 carriers and provides novel insights into potential strategies for therapeutic intervention.

Microplastic-Induced Oxidative Stress in Metolachlor-Degrading Filamentous Fungus Trichoderma harzianum.

While there has been intensive research on the influence of microplastics (MPs) on aquatic organisms and humans, their effect on microorganisms is relatively little-known. The present study describes the response of the Trichoderma harzianum strain to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microparticles. MPs, either separately or with metolachlor (MET), were added to the cultures. Initially, MP was not found to have a negative effect on fungal growth and MET degradation. After 72 h of cultivation, the content of fungal biomass in samples with MPs was almost three times higher than that in the cultures without MPs. Additionally, a 75% degradation of the initial MET was observed. However, due to the qualitative and quantitative changes in individual classes of phospholipids, cell membrane permeability was increased. Additionally, MPs induced the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase was also increased in response to MPs. Despite these defense mechanisms, there was enhanced lipid peroxidation in the cultures containing the LDPE microparticles. The results of the study may fill the knowledge gap on the influence of MPs on filamentous fungi. The findings will be helpful in future research on the biodegradation of contaminants coexisting with MPs in soil.

Alterations of Lipid Profile in Livers with Impaired Lipophagy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver. Various mechanisms such as an increased uptake in fatty acids or de novo synthesis contribute to the development of steatosis and progression to more severe stages. Furthermore, it has been shown that impaired lipophagy, the degradation of lipids by autophagic processes, contributes to NAFLD. Through an unbiased lipidome analysis of mouse livers in a genetic model of impaired lipophagy, we aimed to determine the resulting alterations in the lipidome. Observed changes overlap with those of the human disease. Overall, the entire lipid content and in particular the triacylglycerol concentration increased under conditions of impaired lipophagy. In addition, we detected a reduction in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and an increased ratio of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs, which was due to the depletion of n-3 PUFAs. Although the abundance of major phospholipid classes was reduced, the ratio of phosphatidylcholines to phosphatidylethanolamines was not affected. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that impaired lipophagy contributes to the pathology of NAFLD and is associated with an altered lipid profile. However, the lipid pattern does not appear to be specific for lipophagic alterations, as it resembles mainly that described in relation to fatty liver disease.

The Phospholipid Molecular Species Profile of Apostichopus japonicus Tissues Modifies through Exposure to n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Deficient Diet.

The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, being a target species of commercial fisheries and aquaculture, is also used as a source of biologically active compounds with high pharmacological potential. By the methods of high-performance liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry, we analyzed the major structural phospholipids (PL)—glycerophosphoethanolamines (PE), glycerophosphocholines (PC), glycerophosphoserines (PS), and glycerophosphoinositols (PI)—in tissues of wild and cultured sea cucumbers. The intestines of the wild and cultured animals differed from the other tissues by an elevated content of molecular species of PE, PC, and PS with 22:6n-3 fatty acid. The respiratory trees of the studied animals contained a high level of odd-chain PI and PI with 20:4n-6. The exposure to n-3 PUFA-deficient diet resulted in substantial changes in the molecular species profile of PL of the wild and cultured animals. The cultured sea cucumbers showed a significant decrease in the 20:5n-3 content in all four studied PL classes. A replacement of 20:5n-3 by 20:4n-6 occurred in PE, PC, and PI. The decrease in the level of molecular species of PS with 20:5n-3 was compensated by an increase in the level of monounsaturated long-chain PS. The diet of cultured sea cucumbers is a crucial factor for enhancing the nutritional properties of the product obtained from them.

Profiling of phospholipid classes and molecular species in human milk, bovine milk, and goat milk by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS

This study aimed to identify differences of lipidome and fatty acid composition among human, bovine and caprine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) using a lipidomics approach. In total, 11 lipid classes were determined, including PC, PE, SM, PG, PI, PS, Cer, PA, HexCer, Hex2Cer and CL. Using positive and negative ionization modes, 73 and 156 common significantly differential lipid species were identified in three typical MFGM. The oleic acid (C18:1) was the dominant fatty acid in human (28.29 ± 0.04 g/100 g) and caprine (35.71 ± 0.02 g/100 g) MFGM, whereas Palmitic acid (C16:0, 29.13 ± 0.07 g/100 g) was the dominant fatty acid in bovine MFGM. In addition, there was no significant difference in long chain fatty acids between human MFGM and caprine milk. Overall, the results provide essential insights into differential lipids characterization in MFGM, along with a theoretical basis for the design of new infant formula.

An untargeted lipidomic analysis reveals depletion of several phospholipid classes in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia on treatment with Evolocumab®

Background and Aims : Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is caused by mutations in genes involved in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) metabolism. The effect of PCSK-9 inhibition on plasma lipidome has been poorly explored. We performed an untergeted-lipidomic study on FH patients receving a PCSK-9 inhibitor (Evolocumab®).

ELF4 is a critical component of a miRNA-transcription factor network and is a bridge regulator of glioblastoma receptor signaling and lipid dynamics.

The loss of neurogenic tumor suppressor microRNAs miR-124, miR-128, and miR-137 is associated with glioblastoma's undifferentiated state. Most of their impact comes via the repression of a network of oncogenic transcription factors. We conducted a high-throughput functional siRNA screen in glioblastoma cells and identify E74 like ETS transcription factor 4 (ELF4) as the leading contributor to oncogenic phenotypes. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to assess ELF4 impact on cancer phenotypes. We characterized ELF4's mechanism of action via genomic and lipidomic analyses. AMAPK reporter assay verified ELF4's impact on MAPK signaling, and qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to corroborate ELF4 regulatory role on most relevant target genes. ELF4 knockdown resulted in significant proliferation delay and apoptosis in GBM cells and long-term growth delay and morphological changes in glioma stem cells (GSCs). Transcriptomic analyses revealed that ELF4 controls two interlinked pathways: 1)Receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and 2)Lipid dynamics. ELF4 modulation directly affected receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity was dependent upon ELF4 levels. Furthermore, shotgun lipidomics revealed that ELF4 depletion disrupted several phospholipid classes, highlighting ELF4's importance in lipid homeostasis. We found that ELF4 is critical for the GBM cell identity by controlling genes of two dependent pathways: RTK signaling (SRC, PTK2B, and TNK2) and lipid dynamics (LRP1, APOE, ABCA7, PLA2G6, and PITPNM2). Our data suggest that targeting these two pathways simultaneously may be therapeutically beneficial to GBM patients.

Lipids and Fatty Acids in Some Mesopelagic Fish Species: General Characteristics and Peculiarities of Adaptive Response to Deep-Water Habitat

The lipid and fatty acid composition of muscles of mesopelagic fish species Lampanyctus macdonaldi, Bathylagus euryops, Serrivomer beanii, Scopelogadus beanii in the Irminger Sea at deep range were studied. The contents of the total lipids (TLs), total phospholipids (PLs), monoacylglycerols (MAGs), diacylglycerols (DAGs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), cholesterol (Chol), Chol esters, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and wax esters were determined by HPTLC; the PL classes were determined by HPLC; and fatty acids (FAs) were determined using GC. It was found significant differences in lipid profile of the studied fishes: Chol esters and waxes were dominant in L. macdonaldii and S. beanii, fish species with diel vertical migrations (DVM), while TAGs were prevalent in B. euryops and Sc. Beanii—non-migratory species. It was revealed the species-specific differences in FAs profiles of the studied fish. Along with this, it was detected the similarity of FAs in fish, which is associated with food sources. A comparative analysis of lipids and FAs among L. macdonaldi and S. beanii collected in the Irminger Sea and L. alatus and S. beanii collected in the Tropic Seamount revealed similar biochemical strategies for the accumulation of certain lipids characterized the mesopelagic inhabit despite latitude differences of the area of study.

Phospholipid profiling, cholesterol, and tocopherols: Comparison of sow milk fats from two lactation stages and five breeds

Effects of five different breeds (Landrace × Large White, Landrace, Large White, Duroc and Pietrain) and two lactation stages (colostrum and milk) on phospholipids and their fatty acids compositions, cholesterol, and tocopherols in sow milks (n = 100) were investigated in the present study. Six classes of phospholipids were identified using 31P NMR spectroscopy, with the total phospholipid levels ranging from 56.84 to 151.02 μmol/100 mL. Sphingomyelin (SM) was the most abundant phospholipids (33.57%–48.00%) in both colostrum and milk. Colostrum contained higher percentages of SM, phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and ethanolamine plasmalogen (EPLAS) than those in milk, while milk contained higher percentages of phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). C16:0 and C18:0, accounting for more than 80% of the saturated fatty acids of phospholipids in both colostrum and milk, decreased throughout the lactation. The average cholesterol concentration in colostrum was 430.60 mg/100 g fat, which was significantly lower than that in milk (646.44 mg/100 g fat). α-Tocopherol levels in Landrace × Large White breed were 38.35 and 15.91 mg/100 g fat in colostrum and milk, respectively, which were significantly higher than other breeds; while no significant variations in β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols were noted among different breeds. The results demonstrated that lactation stages and breeds were mainly responsible for the significant differences of phospholipids, cholesterol, and tocopherols, providing a theoretical guidance for the manufacture of commercial formula of piglets.