Diverse Functions of Lipids and Lipid Metabolism in Development

Abstract

Developmental processes result from interactions between the external environment and internal factors. Recent discoveries have demonstrated the essential roles of lipid metabolic homeostasis in adapting to environmental changes and fulfilling many cellular requirements during development. Lipids not only constitute biological membranes, but they also provide the most efficient form to store and supply energy upon demand, and they act as signals/messengers in diverse developmental pathways. Lipid metabolism also influences gene transcription by affecting the chromatin state and modulates protein function through post‐translational modification. This review mainly focuses on summarizing recent findings about the critical roles of lipids and lipid metabolism during development. How new lipid imaging or tracing techniques will further strengthen authors' understanding of the tight link between lipid metabolism and diverse developmental processes are also discussed.

Reorganization of the Mitochondria-Organelle Interactome during Postnatal Development in Skeletal Muscle

“…However, despite being placed directly between the myofibrils, the worm-like appearance of the neonatal mitochondria resulted in relatively less of the mitochondrial surface area being located directly adjacent to the contractile apparatus. Thus, the organization of the newborn muscle cell reflects an increased functional capacity for direct communication between organelles, lipid metabolism, and calcium signaling, the latter two of which have been suggested to play key roles in cellular assembly and development 42-46 . Conversely, regardless of whether the number of mitochondria increased (oxidative) or decreased (glycolytic) or whether mitochondria converted to grid-like (oxidative) or perpendicularly oriented (glycolytic) networks, interactions between mitochondria and other organelles fell nearly two-fold during postnatal development while the more linear mitochondrial segments in mature muscles formed tighter associations with the adjacent contractile structures.…”

Validating an artificial organelle: Studies of lipid droplet-specific proteins on adiposome platform

“…The LD consists of a neutral lipid core of mostly triacylglycerol (TAG), sterol esters, retinyl ester, and/or polyhydroxyalkanoate, surrounded by a monolayer phospholipid membrane and associated proteins (Farese and Walther, 2009). It is certain that it plays a significant role in energy homeostasis, in particular lipid metabolism, storage, and transportation, but in-depth understanding of LD as an organelle is still developing (Bartz et al, 2007a;Liu et al, 2004;Walther et al, 2017;Yao et al, 2019). The specific targeting of LD-associated proteins is an unresolved issue, as well as the details of in situ enzymatic activity of LD-associated lipases.…”

Chain flexibility of medicinal lipids determines their selective partitioning into lipid droplets

“…A lipid droplet (LD) is not a simple blob of fat but a highly dynamic organelle capable of regulating lipid metabolism, storage, and transportation 1 – 5 . In particular, the phase-separated organelle can store intracellularly produced lipids with reservation, ensuring cell survival and stress resistance by promoting organelle and membrane homeostasis 6 – 8 .…”