Occurrence of J blood group activities in lipid and non-lipid fractions of organs and body fluids of cattle

Total lipids and protein-containing residues obtained after lipid extraction from various organs and body fluids of J-positive cattle were tested for J activity in the bovine J blood group system. Polar lipids prepared by column chromatography of total lipids, which contain predominantly neutral lipids, were also tested. Total lipids (or polar lipids, respectively) were analysed for lipid phosphorus, lipid sugar, and hexosamine. Both lipids and non-lipid fractions of brain, myocardium, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue show no J activity. The lipids of urinary bladder epithelium, spleen, liver, and kidney are J-positive, whereas their non-lipid fractions are J-negative. Both the lipids and the non-lipid fractions of seminal plasma, spermatozoa, and faeces are J-active. The lipids extracted from hair show no J activity, while those of cornea and eyelens are J-active. The high amount of glycolipids from seminal plasma, spermatozoa and spleen stimulates further studies of these lipids.     

Turnover of chromatin-bound and membrane lipids in the liver and thymus of gamma-irradiated rats

The turnover of nuclear and chromatin lipids from the liver and thymus of control and irradiated rats was studied by the incorporation of [14C]acetate. The chromatin-bound lipids were shown to possess a high metabolic activity which was especially well-pronounced in thymus cells. The higher specific radioactivity of the chromatin-bound lipids in comparison with that of intact nuclear lipids points to the structural uncoupling of chromatin lipids from other nuclear lipids.     

麻疯树种子发育过程中脂类物质变化的显微和超微结构观察

用石蜡切片、半薄切片和超薄切片方法研究了麻疯树种子发育过程中脂类物质的变化。结果表明:脂类物质主要储存于胚乳当中,当种子发育成熟时胚乳中迅速积累了大量的油脂;种皮在发育过程中脂类物质含量较多,成熟时外种皮硬化,内种皮含有大量的油脂;种子成熟时胚中含有少量的脂类物质。细胞内脂类物质含量比较多时,内质网、线粒体、质体和高尔基体数量也会较多。种子完全成熟时进行采收加工是最为合适的。     

Formation of lipid reserves in fat body and eggs of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

We examined the accumulation of lipids in adult females of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Females emerged with about 100 μg lipid in the fat body. With access to sugar water lipids increased over seven days to 300 μg. After a blood meal on day five, sugar-fed females accumulated 120-140 μg of lipids in their ovaries within 2 days. At the same time the lipid content of the fat body decreased by 100 μg, indicating transfer of lipids from fat body to oocytes. Experiments in which fat body lipids were prelabelled support this conclusion. Label was transferred to oocytes: in mature oocytes the specific radioactivity of lipids was 80% of the specific radioactivity of prelabeled fat body lipids. Components of blood meals are also used to synthesize oocyte lipids. Fat bodies of females starved for four days had only 27 μg of lipids left. When these females were given a blood meal, they matured oocytes, although the number of ooyctes was reduced and ovaries contained only half the amount of lipids found in ovaries of females which had first fed on sugar water. Fat body lipids of these females had only slightly increased to 36 μg. This demonstrates that female Ae. aegypti use sugar to synthesize lipids, but they can also use components of blood for this purpose.     

烟草种子成熟过程中膜脂的变化规律研究

该研究采用脂类组学方法,系统地研究了烟草种子成熟过程中膜脂含量及组成比例的变化规律。结果表明:(1)构成叶绿体和类囊体膜的重要脂类质体膜脂的含量及其在总膜脂中的组成比例,在种子成熟的整个过程中保持下降趋势;而构成细胞膜的重要脂类质外体膜脂含量在种子成熟前期则下降显著,在授粉21 d后基本保持不变。(2)总膜脂含量的变化规律与质体膜脂类似,但在授粉后第29天后含量却达到稳定状态。(3)因油脂在种子成熟过程中不断积累,且化学结构与膜脂相似,质体膜脂含量的降低可能与种子成熟过程中种子对油脂累积的持续需求以及对叶绿体及类囊体的需求降低有关。(4)质外体膜脂含量在授粉21 d后基本保持不变的原因,可能是由于脂质外体膜脂是细胞膜组成的主要膜脂,细胞膜在种子成熟以及成熟种子萌发过程中均发挥重要作用,因此质外体膜脂只在种子成熟的前期有部分转化为油脂。     

Studies on mixed monolayers of phospholipids and fusogenic lipids.

1. The behaviour of mixed monolayers of 14 different lipids with preparations of erythrocyte lipids, purified natural and synthetic phospholipids, cholesterol and galactosylceramide was investigated. 2. The mean areas occupied per molecule in mixed films containing lipids that are fusogenic for hen erythrocytes were compared with those for corresponding films containing lipids that are inactive as fusogens. 3. Fusogenic lipids were found to exhibit interactions, which were not shown by non-fusogenic lipids, in mixed monolayers with several species of phospholipid, particularly those containing a choline head group. 4. Heterogeneity in the hydrophobic chains of phosphatidylcholine, their degree of unsaturation and the presence of cholesterol had little effect on the interaction of phosphatidylcholine with fusogenic lipids. 5. Fusogenic lipids showed little specific interaction with natural or synthetic preparations of phosphatidylethanolamine. 6. The possible significance of these observations in relation to the action of fusogenic lipids on biological membranes is discussed in the light of the asymmetrical distribution of phospholipids in erythrocyte membranes.     

Nature of DNA-bound fatty acids in Pseudomonas aurantiaca

The existence of Pseudomonas aurantiaca DNA-bound fatty acids and lipids is presented in this work. The isolation of DNA was carried out by two different procedures, namely, phenol and detergent-based phenol isolation in order to prove the presence of DNA-bound lipids. The lipid content of DNA is expressed in terms of fatty acid profile. A high level of 16:0, 18:0 and 18:1 is characteristic for tightly bound DNA lipids. On the other hand, the fatty acids such as 14:1, iso14:0 and iso16:0 are found in trace amounts only in DNA lipid fraction, but these fatty acids are not found in the whole-cell lipids. Absolutely no 3-hydroxy fatty acids were found in DNA lipids. However, both C16 and C18 species represent the main fatty acids of whole-cell and DNA-bound lipids. The presence of DNA-bound lipids even under tough treatment of DNA allows to conclude that these lipids represent a special pool among cellular lipids.     

Nonbilayer lipids affect peripheral and integral membrane proteins via changes in the lateral pressure profile

Nonbilayer lipids can be defined as cone-shaped lipids with a preference for nonbilayer structures with a negative curvature, such as the hexagonal phase. All membranes contain these lipids in large amounts. Yet, the lipids in biological membranes are organized in a bilayer. This leads to the question: what is the physiological role of nonbilayer lipids? Different models are discussed in this review, with a focus on the lateral pressure profile within the membrane. Based on this lateral pressure model, predictions can be made for the effect of nonbilayer lipids on peripheral and integral membrane proteins. Recent data on the catalytic domain of Leader Peptidase and the potassium channel KcsA are discussed in relation to these predictions and in relation to the different models on the function of nonbilayer lipids. The data suggest a general mechanism for the interaction between nonbilayer lipids and membrane proteins via the membrane lateral pressure.     

Recent Advances in Structural Research on Ether Lipids from Archaea Including Comparative and Physiological Aspects

A great number of novel and unique chemical structures of archaeal polar lipids have been reported. Since 1993, when those lipids were reviewed in several review articles, a variety of core lipids and lipids with unique polar groups have been reported successively. We summarize new lipid structures from archaea elucidated after 1993. In addition to lipids from intact archaeal cells, more diverse structures of archaea-related lipids found in environmental samples are also reviewed. These lipids are assumed to be lipids from unidentified or ancient archaea or related organisms. In the second part of this paper, taxonomic and ecological aspects are discussed. Another aspect of archaeal lipid study has to do with its physiological significance, particularly the phase behavior and permeability of archaeal lipid membranes in relation to the thermophily of many archaea. In the last part of this review we discuss this problem.     

A Comparison of Standard Lipid Staining Techniques Used in Electron Microscopic Studies of Mammalian Tissues

Comparisons of several standard techniques for staining lipids in ultrastructural studies have been undertaken using the rat uterine epithelium as the experimental tissue. The best technique for clarity, retention of stain, and acceptability of cellular ultrastructure utilized p-phenylenediamine after primary fixation in glutaraldehyde and postfixation in osmium tetroxide. While osmium by itself stained only unsaturated lipids and p-phenylenediamine stained no lipids in spot tests, when acting together, the staining of unsaturated lipids was enhanced and some staining of saturated lipids was seen. Further, the marked extraction of stained lipids normally found during dehydration did not then occur.     

A comparison of standard lipid staining techniques used in electron microscopic studies of mammalian tissues

Comparisons of several standard techniques for staining lipids in ultrastructural studies have been undertaken using the rat uterine epithelium as the experimental tissue. The best technique for clarity, retention of stain, and acceptability of cellular ultrastructure utilized p-phenylenediamine after primary fixation in glutaraldehyde and postfixation in osmium tetroxide. While osmium by itself stained only unsaturated lipids and p-phenylene-diamine stained no lipids in spot tests, when acting together, the staining of unsaturated lipids was enhanced and some staining of saturated lipids was seen. Further, the marked extraction of stained lipids normally found during dehydration did not then occur.     

Comparative analysis of lipid composition in axenic strains of Blastocystis hominis.

1. Six axenic strains of Blastocystis hominis varied in content of lipids from 12 to 43 pg total lipid/cell. With all strains, phospholipid content was about 39% of total lipids. 2. Neutral lipid fractions of B. hominis were resolved into nine constituents, of which seven were identified tentatively. Sterol esters, principally esters of cholesterol, were the major neutral lipid constituent, accounting for 49-63% of the neutral lipids, and at least 30% of the total lipids. 3. Polar lipids were resolved into eleven constituents, of which nine were identified tentatively. Phosphatidylcholine was the major polar lipid constituent of all strains, accounting for 53-63% of the polar lipids, and about 22% of the total lipids.     

Glucosyl diglyceride lipid structures in Deinococcus radiodurans.

The structures of two lipids from the radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans are reported here: 1,2-diacyl-3-alpha-glucopyranosyl-glycerol and 3-O-[6'-O-(1",2"-diacyl- 3"-phosphoglycerol)-alpha-glucopyranosyl]-1,2-diacylglycerol. These lipids are strikingly different from previously characterized polar lipids from this organism, in that they are not unique to the genus Deinococcus and indeed have counterparts in both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, as examples of glucose-containing lipids, they further illustrate the diversity of carbohydrate-containing lipids in D. radiodurans, from which lipids containing galactose and N-acetylglucosamine have already been structurally characterized.     

Multiple bonds for the lipid interest

Polyene lipids and alkyne lipids allow study of lipid organization, dynamics and metabolism. Both types of lipids contain multiple bonds as the essential functional group, leading to minimal disturbance of the hydrophobic properties on which the characteristic behavior of lipids is based. Polyene lipids can directly be traced due to their intrinsic fluorescence, while alkyne lipids need the copper-catalyzed click reaction to an azido-reporter for detection. This review describes recent developments in synthesis and application of both types of lipid analogs with emphasis on metabolic tracing and microscopy imaging. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Tools to study lipid functions.     

Human tear fluid lipidome: from composition to function

We have explored human aqueous tear fluid lipidome with an emphasis to identify the major lipids. We also address the physiological significance of the lipidome. The tears were analysed using thin layer chromatographic, enzymatic and mass spectrometric techniques. To emphasize the physiological aspect of the lipidome, we modelled the spreading of the non-polar tear fluid lipids at air-water interface in macroscopic scale with olive oil and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine. Based on enzymatic analysis the respective concentrations of choline-containing lipids, triglycerides, and cholesteryl esters were 48±14, 10±0, and 21±18 μM. Ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were the two most common polar lipids comprising 88±6% of all identified lipids. Triglycerides were the only non-polar lipids detected in mass spectrometric analysis i.e. no cholesteryl or wax esters were identified. The spreading experiments show that the presence of polar lipids is an absolute necessity for a proper spreading of non-polar tear fluid lipids. We provide evidence that polar lipids are the most common lipid species. Furthermore, we provide a physiological rationale for the observed lipid composition. The results open insights into the functional role of lipids in the tear fluid and also aids in providing new means to understand and treat diseases of the ocular surface.     

Synthesis and characterization of betaine-like diacyl lipids: zwitterionic lipids with the cationic amine at the bilayer interface

We synthesized and characterized a series of zwitterionic, acetate-terminated, quaternized amine diacyl lipids (AQ). These lipids have an inverted headgroup orientation as compared to naturally occurring phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids; the cationic group is anchored at the membrane interface, while the anionic group extends into the aqueous phase. AQ lipids preferentially interact with highly polarizable anions (ClO(4)(-)) over less polarizable ions (Cl(-)), in accord with the Hofmeister series, as measured by the change in zeta potential of AQ liposomes. Conversely, AQ lipids have a weaker association with calcium than do PC lipids. The transition temperatures (Tm) of the AQ lipids are similar to the Tm observed with phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids of the same chain length. AQ lipids form large lipid sheets after heating and sonication; however, in the presence of cholesterol (Chol), these lipids form stable liposomes that encapsulate carboxyfluorescein. The AQ:Chol liposomes retain their contents in the presence of serum at 37°C, and when injected intravenously into mice, their organ biodistribution is similar to that observed with PC:Chol liposomes. AQ lipids demonstrate that modulating the headgroup charge orientation significantly alters the biophysical properties of liposomes. For the drug carrier field, these new materials provide a non-phosphate containing zwitterlipid for the production of lipid vesicles.     

A lipid-phase separation model of low-temperature damage to biological membranes

An hypothesis is proposed to explain the damage caused to biological membranes exposed to low temperatures. The thesis rests on the general observation that the lipid components of most membranes are heterogeneous and undergo phase transitions from gel-phase lamellae to liquid-crystalline lamellae and some to a non-lamellar, hexagonal-II phase over a wide range of temperatures. As a consequence of these phase transitions the lateral distribution of the lipids characteristic of the growth temperature is disturbed and redistribution takes place on the basis of the temperature at which phase transitions occur. When membranes are cooled, first the non-lamellar forming lipids pass through a transition to a fluid lamellar phase and are miscible with bilayer-forming lipids into which they diffuse. On further cooling the high-melting-point lipids begin to crystallize and separate into a lamellar gel phase, in the process excluding the low-melting point lipids and intrinsic proteins. The lipids in these remaining regions form a gel phase at the lowest temperature. It is suggested that, because the non-lamellar lipids tend to undergo a liquid-crystalline to gel-phase transition at higher temperatures than lamellar-forming lipids, these will tend to phase separate into a gel phase domain rich in these lipids. Damage results when the membrane is reheated, whereupon the hexagonal-II-forming lipids give rise to non-lamellar structures. These probably take the form of inverted micelles sandwiched within the lipid bilayer and they completely destroy the permeability barrier properties of the membrane. The model is consistent with the phase behavior of membrane lipids and the action of cryoprotective agents in modifying lipid phase properties.     

Recent advances in structural research on ether lipids from archaea including comparative and physiological aspects

A great number of novel and unique chemical structures of archaeal polar lipids have been reported. Since 1993, when those lipids were reviewed in several review articles, a variety of core lipids and lipids with unique polar groups have been reported successively. We summarize new lipid structures from archaea elucidated after 1993. In addition to lipids from intact archaeal cells, more diverse structures of archaea-related lipids found in environmental samples are also reviewed. These lipids are assumed to be lipids from unidentified or ancient archaea or related organisms. In the second part of this paper, taxonomic and ecological aspects are discussed. Another aspect of archaeal lipid study has to do with its physiological significance, particularly the phase behavior and permeability of archaeal lipid membranes in relation to the thermophily of many archaea. In the last part of this review we discuss this problem.     

Rat liver nuclear lipids. Composition and biosynthesis

A characteristic of rat liver nuclear lipids is their high content in neutral lipids especially of tryglycerides and free fatty acids. These compounds do not arise due to hydrolysis of more complex lipids during the isolation of the nuclei. The neutral lipids fatty acid pattern is more saturated than the phospholipid one. The presence of phosphatidylinositol mono- and diphosphate in nuclei has been confirmed. Nuclei are unable to synthesize de novo phospholipids but are capable of incorporating inorganic phosphate into lipids synthesized via a kinase pathway.     

水鬼蕉花药发育中多糖和脂滴组织化学研究

水鬼蕉（Hymenocallis littoralis）花药发育中,脂滴的积累和分布具有明显的特点。在花药中部的造孢细胞中积累了很多脂滴。在形成胼胝质壁的小孢子母细胞中仍有大量脂滴的分布;与此同时,在花药壁绒毡层细胞中的脂滴也明显增加,而在其他药壁细胞中出现了少量淀粉粒。在四分体时期,四分体小孢子形态不规则,依然含有大量脂滴。在小孢子早期,形态不规则的小孢子开始形成花粉外壁,细胞质中的脂滴明显减少;绒毡层细胞外形变得不规则,内部仍含较多脂滴。在小孢子晚期,小孢子形成许多液泡,小孢子变为圆形,在花粉外壁内侧出现红色多糖成分;此时,绒毡层细胞降解,在退化细胞残迹中仍有较多脂滴。在二胞花粉早期,花粉粒中的液泡逐渐消失,脂滴数量又明显增加;而绒毡层细胞残迹变为很大的脂滴。水鬼蕉成熟花粉为二胞型,其中积累了大量的脂滴作为花粉储存物。