The goal of this review is to assess the potential of phospholipids to function as key elements in metabolism. Specifically, oxidized phospholipids are one of the most pathogenic elements related to phospholipids and they have been associated with a plethora of diseases, such as atherosclerosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Recent studies indicate that phospholipids are responsible for several diseases related to either their deficient transport or oxidized phospholipids, increasing their importance in recent years. In order to develop their function, phospholipids are transported between organelle structures through vesicular or non-vesicular transport mediated by lipid transport proteins (LTPs). Phospholipids are one of the main components in eukaryotic membranes, with glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine) being particularly significant. This review will focus on phospholipid function, metabolism, non-vesicular transport, and associated diseases. In this regard, LTPs can be established as an essential point within phospholipid circulation, as relevant data show impaired phospholipid transport when LTPs are defected. Additionally, an important advance in this small cytosolic gap are lipid transfer proteins (LTPs), which accelerate and modulate the distribution of phospholipids in other organelles. ER association with other organelles through membrane contact sites (MCS) provides a close apposition for lipid transport. One of the main sites of phospholipid synthesis is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These damaged phospholipids have been related to prevalent diseases such as atherosclerosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) because they alter gene expression and induce cellular stress and apoptosis. Phospholipids can also be damaged by oxidative stress produced by mitochondria, for instance, becoming oxidized phospholipids.

Phospholipids are the basic structure block of eukaryotic membranes, in both the outer and inner membranes, which delimit cell organelles.

Phospholipid structure download