Lipidomics - A Novel Strategy for Probing into Systems Biology Operations: Networking between Glycome, Lipidome, Proteome, and Genome

Abstract

One of the fascinating and challenging marvels of biological systems is the dynamic cellular compartmentalization aided by the structure and function of diverse and complex molecules, mainly carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids which constitute the glycome, lipidome, proteome, and genome, respectively. Nevertheless, these molecular entities are in a constant flux adapting to and modulating the functions of the biological system at the membrane, organelle, cellular, and organ levels and finally regulating the organismal structure and function(s). Remarkably, the microsystems (microcosms) including glycome, lipidome, proteome, and genome operate by interwoven networks and communicate with each other through the complex and dynamic molecular signal transduction mechanisms (Figure 1) involving enzymes, hormones, receptors, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and bioactive molecules, to name a few [1,2]. Thus, the entire biological system (macrocosm) at the organismal level is constantly regulated (homeostasis) by the well-controlled interconnected operations of the microsystems.