Reagents and instruments for immunology, cell biology and molecular biology.

Study lipid metabolism with LipiORDER™, LipiRADICAL™ and LipiDye™.

Lipid metabolism is crucial for cellular energy regulation and disease development. Discover how Funakoshi's reagents, including LipiORDER™, LipiRADICAL™, and LipiDye™, provide powerful tools for real-time tracking of lipid metabolism and deeper insights into lipid functions.

Introduction

Lipid metabolism plays a pivotal role in cellular energy homeostasis, signaling pathways, and the development of various diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding the intricate processes governing lipid storage, transport, and utilization is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies (Liu et al., 2023). However, studying lipid dynamics in live cells presents significant challenges due to the complexity of lipid pathways and the lack of suitable tools for visualizing and tracking lipid molecules.

Funakoshi offers reagents to overcome these challenges. LipiORDER, LipiRADICAL, and LipiDye allow visualization of lipid droplets, detection of lipid radicals, and tracing of lipid metabolism in real-time for a deeper understanding of lipid function.

Lipid Reagents

1/ LipiORDER™

LipiORDER™ is a pyrene-based solvatochromic fluorescent dye that changes fluorescent properties in response to its solvent environment. In low-polarity solvents like toluene, LipiORDER™ shows green fluorescence. In highly polar solvents such as DMSO and methanol, the dye changes color to orange or red. LipiORDER™ accumulates in various biological membranes and can sense local lipid bilayer environments. It allows differentiation between lipid order states (Lo and Ld), making it a powerful tool in lipid research (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Graphical image of LipiORDER^™ and Typical ratio imaging of cultured neurons

2/ LipiRADICAL

LipiRADICAL™ Green is an innovative dye that reacts with lipid radicals via radical-radical coupling, forming a covalent bond with lipids. The reaction results in a drastic fluorescence intensity increase, making it a highly selective tool for lipid radical detection. Unlike other dyes, LipiRADICAL™ Green does not detect reactive oxygen radicals, allowing for precise lipid radical quantification and cellular imaging.

3/ LipiDye™

LipiDye™ is a green fluorescent dye for the specific detection of lipid droplets (LDs). It has high sensitivity, low cytotoxicity, and superior photostability compared to traditional dyes like Nile Red. Compatible with both live and fixed cells, LipiDye™ offers excellent imaging capabilities for lipid droplet visualization (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Lipid droplet in Adipocyte is stained with LipiDye

Funakoshi’s LipiORDER, LipiRADICAL, and LipiDye reagents significantly advance lipid research. These tools provide researchers with the ability to visualize lipid droplets, detect lipid radicals, trace lipid metabolism, and study lipid order at a molecular level. Researchers can utilize these reagents to explore lipid functions in biological processes, including biofilm formation, T cell differentiation, and immune responses. We encourage scientists to explore these innovative reagents and unlock new insights into lipid metabolism.

References

Liu, H., Huang, Y., Lu, S., Yuan, D. and Liu, J., 2023. Global Trends of Lipid Metabolism Research in Epigenetics Field: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2012–2021. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), p.2382.