Cardiolipin
Cardiolipin (CL) is a type of lipid that is found in the mitochondria of cells. It is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. Cardiolipin is crucial for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Cardiolipin is a diphosphatidylglycerol lipid. In other words, it consists of a glycerol backbone, but instead of being linked to one phosphatidic acid molecule, it is linked to two. This gives cardiolipin its unique structure, which is critical for its function in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Function[edit | edit source]
Cardiolipin plays a key role in several important biological processes. These include:
- Apoptosis: Cardiolipin can move from the inner to the outer mitochondrial membrane, where it acts as a signal for the initiation of apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
- Mitochondrial metabolism: Cardiolipin is essential for the optimal function of several enzymes involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism.
- Mitochondrial membrane potential: Cardiolipin contributes to the maintenance of the mitochondrial membrane potential, which is crucial for the production of ATP.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Alterations in cardiolipin metabolism have been linked to a variety of diseases, including Barth syndrome, heart failure, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Barth syndrome: This is a rare genetic disorder characterized by cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle weakness, and neutropenia. It is caused by mutations in the gene that encodes tafazzin, an enzyme involved in the remodeling of cardiolipin.
- Heart failure: Changes in cardiolipin content or composition can impair mitochondrial function, leading to decreased ATP production and heart failure.
- Diabetes: Altered cardiolipin metabolism can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- Neurodegenerative diseases: Changes in cardiolipin can affect mitochondrial function and lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Cardiolipin Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
