Epilipidome as a New Level of Cellular Regulation

Lipids serve a remarkable variety of cellular functions primarily as membrane building blocks, energy depots, and signaling mediators. Such a wide range of functionality is supported by their high structural diversity. Moreover, the complexity of lipidome is further increased by enzymatic and non-enzymatic modifications via oxidation, nitration, sulfation, and halogenation. It is increasingly recognized that modified lipids are not simply a lipid “waste” but actively regulate complex biological processes. In analogy with methylation of DNA and protein post-translational modifications, this new level of structural, functional, and regulatory complexity of lipidome may be called epilipidome. Rapidly accumulating evidence demonstrates the importance of modified lipids as key players in regulation of cellular metabolism, function, and death.

This Research Topic aims to provide an overview of our knowledge on the importance of lipid modifications in different biological contexts. We welcome original research, review, and mini-review articles on the different aspects of lipid modifications in cell biology and pathology. Some potential topics, which are non-exclusive, include:

• Epilipidomics regulation of biological systems.
• Generation of epilipidome: nitrated and halogenated lipids, oxidized sterols, phospholipids and cholesteryl esters, modified neutral lipids.
• Receptor-mediated and receptor-independent mechanisms of action of modified lipids.
• Systems biology of gene regulation by modified lipids.
• Modulation of innate and adaptive immunity by lipid modifications and lipid-protein adducts.
• Modified lipids in cell death regulation.
• Modified lipids in regulation of metabolism.
• Diagnostic perspectives of epilipidome.