Elongation factor 1A-1 (eEF1A-1) has non-canonical functions in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and apoptosis. It was previously identified through a promoter-trap screen as a mediator of fatty acid-induced cell death (lipotoxicity), and was found to participate in this process downstream of ER stress. Since ER stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (N...

Free fatty acids have been reported to induce cell death (lipotoxicity), but the effects depend on the carbon chain length and number of double bonds. Medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MC-SFAs), such as laurate, have less lipotoxicity than long-chain saturated fatty acids (LC-SFAs), such as palmitate. Monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oleate, have also been reported not only to exert cytot...

Lipotoxicity is a metabolic abnormality frequently observed during the development of obesity and is the main cause of several changes in the metabolic observed during metabolic syndrome. Consistent consumption of diets high in saturated fat or simple carbohydrates combined with low physical activity are the main causes of obesity and its comorbidities. However, the contribution of dietary prot...

Cardiomyopathy is associated with both rare genetic metabolic abnormalities and highly prevalent diseases characterized by elevated serum triglycerides and nonesterified fatty acids, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. In these disorders, an imbalance between fatty acid uptake and utilization leads to the inappropriate accumulation of free fatty acids and neutral lipids within cardiomyocytes. ...