Lipid Signaling

A special group of cellular lipids, termed lipid messengers or bioactive lipids, participate in signaling cascades in all organisms, from bacteria to mammals. Bioactive lipids are potent signaling molecules and their appearance is tightly controlled spatially and temporally. The regulated production of lipid second messengers is critical for the coordinated functioning of a cell, and layers of cellular controls such as feedback regulation and signal convergence help to ensure that the disruption of a single lipid metabolizing enzyme does not compromise the intricate communications network. In this article we present an overview of some of the major signaling lipids, their various mechanisms of function, and the well-known effects these lipids have on mammalian signaling and physiology.