Fatty Acids in Eukaryotic Membranes: Structure, Function, Signaling

Fatty acids are fundamental components of eukaryotic cellular membranes, where their chain length, saturation, and distribution regulate membrane fluidity, rigidity, permeability, curvature, and stability. They also participate in membrane remodeling, protein trafficking, vesicular transport, signaling, and cellular homeostasis. Polyunsaturated fatty acids serve as precursors for bioactive lipid mediators involved in inflammatory and immune responses.