Chlorophyll-derived fatty acids regulate expression of lipid metabolizing enzymes in liver - a nutritional opportunity

Nutritional values of fatty acid classes are normally discussed on the basi s of their saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated structures with i mplicit understanding that they are straight-chain. Here we focus on chloro phyll-derived phytanic and pristanic acids that are minor isoprenoid branch ed-chain lipid constituents in food, but of unknown nutritional value. Afte r describing the enzyme machinery that degrades these nutrient fatty acids in the peroxisome, we show by the criteria of a mouse model and of a human cell culture model that they induce with high potency expression of enzymes responsible for P-oxidation of straight-chain fatty acids in the peroxisom e. We summarize present mechanistic knowledge on fatty acid signaling to th e nucleus, which involves protein/protein contacts between peroxisome proli ferator activated receptor (PPAR) and fairy acid binding protein (FABP). In this signaling event the branched-chain fatty acids are the most effective ones. Finally on the basis of this nutrient-gene interaction we discuss nu tritional opportunities and therapeutic aspects of the chlorophyll-derived fatty acids.