Methylene-Interrupted Fatty Acid for Membrane Fluidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The effectiveness of existing unsaturated fatty acids for cryopreservation and disease treatment is limited and associated with side effects, necessitating a new fatty acid that enhances membrane fluidity and is suitable for biological applications.

Innovation Solution

A fatty acid with two double bonds interrupted by methylene groups, forming a ring-like structure, particularly in the cis/cis configuration, which increases membrane fluidity and biocompatibility, and can be produced through lipid extraction from psychrotolerant bacteria like Chryseobacterium frigidisoli, suitable for cryopreservation and therapeutic uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing unsaturated fatty acids are used for cryopreservation and disease treatment, then membrane fluidity is increased to some extent, but effectiveness is limited and side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveeffectivenessVSAvoidside effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the structural parameters of fatty acids by introducing a specific configuration with two double bonds interrupted by two methylene groups (methylene-interrupted double bonds) in a cis/cis configuration. This structural parameter change creates a new fatty acid with enhanced membrane fluidity and biological activity, achieving better effectiveness while reducing side effects compared to conventional unsaturated fatty acids

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structural feature within the fatty acid molecule by combining saturated and unsaturated segments with a specific arrangement of methylene-interrupted double bonds. This composite structure integrates the stability of saturated regions with the fluidity-enhancing properties of unsaturated regions, producing a fatty acid with superior performance for cryopreservation and therapeutic applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If saturated fatty acids and longer carbon chains are used in cell membranes, then membrane structure becomes more rigid and ordered, but membrane fluidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane structureVSAvoidmembrane fluidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific regions within the fatty acid molecule with different properties: saturated segments provide structural stability and rigidity, while the cis/cis methylene-interrupted double bond regions provide localized fluidity enhancement. This spatial differentiation of properties within the single fatty acid molecule allows simultaneous achievement of membrane structure stability and adequate fluidity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the structural parameters by introducing cis-configured double bonds with methylene interruptions at specific positions along the carbon chain. These parameter changes create structural 'kinks' that prevent tight packing of fatty acid chains, thereby maintaining membrane fluidity while preserving overall structural integrity through the saturated portions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If unsaturated fatty acids with cis double bonds are used, then membrane fluidity is increased, but structural stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane fluidityVSAvoidmembrane structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by confining the fluidity-enhancing cis double bonds with methylene interruptions to specific local regions within the fatty acid chain, while the remainder of the molecule maintains saturated, stable structures. This localized approach allows fluidity enhancement without compromising overall molecular stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining saturated stable segments with unsaturated fluidity-promoting segments featuring cis/cis methylene-interrupted double bonds. This composite architecture integrates conflicting properties at the molecular level, achieving both structural stability and enhanced membrane fluidity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The new fatty acid significantly increases membrane fluidity, improves cell survival and growth rates during cryopreservation, and is effective in treating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders by enhancing membrane permeability and nutrient absorption, while reducing cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Implementation Method 1

the two double bonds interrupted by two methylene groups can form a ring-like structure, which leads to the fatty acid increasing membrane fluidity when integrated into a membrane. It is particularly preferred that the two double bonds interrupted by two methylene groups are in the cis configuration.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCis double bond configuration:

Implementation Method 2

which can be produced through lipid extraction from psychrotolerant bacteria like Chryseobacterium frigidisoli

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLipid extraction:

Data Source

PatentEP3190099B1Novel fatty acid and their use
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 HELMHOLTZ ZENT POTSDAM DEUT GEOFORSCHUNGSZENT GFZ
  • EP3190099B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3190099B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3190099B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a fatty acid, a process for producing the fatty acid, and uses of the fatty acid.