Nutritional Deficiencies and Phospholipid Metabolism

Abstract

Phospholipids are important components of the cell membranes of all living species. They contribute to the physicochemical properties of the membrane and thus influence the conformation and function of membrane-bound proteins, such as receptors, ion channels, and transporters and also influence cell function by serving as precursors for prostaglandins and other signaling molecules and modulating gene expression through the transcription activation. The components of the diet are determinant for cell functionality. In this review, the effects of macro and micronutrients deficiency on the quality, quantity and metabolism of different phospholipids and their distribution in cells of different organs is presented. Alterations in the amount of both saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A, E and folate, and other micronutrients, such as zinc and magnesium, are discussed. In all cases we observe alterations in the pattern of phospholipids, the more affected ones being phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin. The deficiency of certain nutrients, such as essential fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins and some metals may contribute to a variety of diseases that can be irreversible even after replacement with normal amount of the nutrients. Usually, the sequelae are more important when the deficiency is present at an early age.

Intracellular free calcium content plays a role in low magnesium-induced increases in prostacyclin production

“…Magnesium is intimately involved in nucleic acid metabolism; it plays key roles in the second messenger systems that mediate hormonal effects on cells, and is a major controller of cellular ion channels, governing the flow of sodium, potassium and calcium in and out of cells [15]. It is also involved in plasma membrane phospholipid metabolism [16][17][18][19]. The altered concentration of phospholipids as a result of magnesium deficiency further affects the conformation and function of membrane-bound proteins, such as ion channels, ion pumps and receptors [16], resulting in a change in Ca 2+ influx, Ca 2+ efflux, and Ca 2+ release from intracellular stores.…”

“…It is also involved in plasma membrane phospholipid metabolism [16][17][18][19]. The altered concentration of phospholipids as a result of magnesium deficiency further affects the conformation and function of membrane-bound proteins, such as ion channels, ion pumps and receptors [16], resulting in a change in Ca 2+ influx, Ca 2+ efflux, and Ca 2+ release from intracellular stores.…”

Liver transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of preweaning lambs are modified by milk replacer restriction

“…Conversely, as mentioned previously, the pentose phosphate pathway seemed to be activated in the RES lambs (e.g., upregulation of PRPS2), thus producing NADPH to be used in the biosynthetic pathways prevalent in the growing lambs (Wood, 1985). Together with the increased expression of genes related to nucleotides (e.g., XDH, LOC101109035, NT5E, AK7, LOC101106419, CMAS, and PRPS2), components of the cell membranes such as glycerophospholipids (e.g., PEMT; Gimenez et al, 2011), nucleoporins involved in RNA transport (e.g., NUP210, NUP62, and NDC1), ribosome biogenesis (e.g., POP7 LOC101102787, LOC101104725, and RPL22L1), and the production of vitamins and cofactors (e.g., TKFC, PNPO, NNT, BTD, SPR, LOC101103439, LOC101104703, DHRS3, LOC101119050, and BCO1), these modifications seem to be indicative of an attempt of the growing organism for maintaining natural physiological functions for growth, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression under feed restriction conditions. Keogh et al (2016) demonstrated an increment of the expression of genes related to ribosomal functions (RPL22, RPL23, RPL26, RP6S, or POP1) that might point towards enhanced protein biosynthesis in restricted-fed animals.…”

Gene-environment interactions as the basis of health formation

“…В связи с активным преобразованием в настоящее время структуры популяций следует упомянуть о таком состоянии, как акклиматизационные микроэлементо-зы [7], и о широком распространении дефицита разно-образных микро-и макроэлементов у жителей в раз-личных странах мира [9,10]. Было установлено, что для детей со сниженным уровнем здоровья характерен выраженный дисбаланс по микро-и макроэлементам (недостаток эссенциальных (Ca, Fe, Mg и особенно Zn) и избыток токсичных) [11].…”