Modulation of Ion Channels and Ionic Pumps by Fatty Acids: Implications in Physiology and Pathology

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are fatty acids with two or more instaurations (double bonds) in their structure. It is well known that under physiological conditions, PUFAs has a big impact in the human health. There exist two major groups of PUFAs, i.e. omega-3 (or n-3 PUFA) and omega-6 (or n-6 PUFA), depending on the positions of the first double bond. The balance between both n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA, is critical for pathogical conditions such cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In general, these fatty acids are incorporated into cell membranes, but are also the source for different bioactive eicosanoids. Further, when free radicals are produced, PUFAs can be oxidized to lipid peroxides, which have profound effects on cell function. In spite of all these years of research, it is still not completely understood the molecular and cellular basis that rule the effects of PUFAs and derived-lipid peroxides on different cellular processes. In spite of that, one plausible explanation for many of their effects is that PUFAs could act through direct plasma membrane interactions, e.g modifying its physicochemical properties or through interactions with ion channels and/or ionic pumps at the plasma membrane which, in turn, will modify contents of ions and metabolite in the cytoplasm and will impact cell homeostasis.

This research topic welcomes contributions to the effect of fatty acids (PUFAs and lipid peroxides) on ion channels and ionic pumps properties, and we encourage to the discussion of how this effects can modulate the cell physiology and/or contribute to certain pathologies.