生理活性脂質とは

Bioactive lipids

ターゲット蛋白質を介して直にシグナルを伝達する活性をもつ脂質を生理活性脂質と呼ぶ．生体膜の脂質はグリセロリン脂質，スフィンゴ脂質，ステロールに大別されるが，これらすべてから生理活性脂質は産生しうる．生理活性脂質は器官形成，細胞増殖，細胞運動制御，免疫，血圧調節，炎症，消化管活動を始めとする多様な生理機能を有し，その産生異常やシグナル不全は様々な病態を引き起こす．また，これらの作用を利用した薬も多数開発されている．本稿では，これらの生理活性脂質のうち，グリセロリン脂質，脂肪酸，スフィンゴ脂質由来生理活性脂質について生理・病態機能を概説する．

Bioactive lipids are lipids able to transduce signals to target proteins.　Lipids in biomembranes are classified into glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols, and each of these can include bioactive lipids.　Bioactive lipids play roles in diverse physiological functions, including tissue formation, cell growth, cell migration, immunity, blood pressure regulation, inflammation, and gastrointestinal activity.　Defects in bioactive lipid formation or signaling can cause a variety of disorders.　Exploiting the functions of bioactive lipids has allowed many therapeutics to be developed.　In this review we outline pathological and physiological functions of glycerophospholipid-, fatty acid-, and sphingolipid-derived bioactive lipids.