Phospholipid Metabolism in Cellular Signaling

Book excerpt: Phospholipids are no longer considered exclusively as the building blocks of biomembranes, but are now regarded to be exceptionally important to cellular signalling.Another conclusion resulting from studies over the past several years is that no single general scheme for the role of phospholipids during cell activation can be drawn as representative of all cells. This book presents a comprehensive view of the recent advances made in certain major research areas within the field of phospholipid metabolism in cellular signalling. Topics discussed within this volume include lipid composition of cellular membranes and their organization in biological systems, the dynamic aspects of phospholipid metabolism and its regulation by extracellular stimuli, and the role of newly discovered glycosyl-phosphatidylinositols in insulin action . The book also discusses two biologically active phospholipids: the sphingolipids, and ether-linked glycerophospholipids (the platelet activating factor). Phospholipid Metabolism in Cellular Signaling is an important research reference that should be considered required reading by all scientists and graduate students working on cell activation (e.g., growth factors, hormones, and oncogenes).