Review
Cell Biology
Claudio M. Fader Kaiser, Patricia S. Romano, M. Cristina Vanrell, Cristian A. Pocognoni, Julieta Jacob, Benjamin Caruso, Laura R. Delgui
Summary: Lipid droplets (LD) are not just fat drops, but they are ubiquitous in diverse organelles and have various functions. LD biogenesis starts in the endoplasmic reticulum, and their main function is to buffer energy and participate in lipid metabolism, protein homeostasis, stress protection, tumor proliferation, pathogen replication, and defense. LD play a crucial role in many diseases caused by intracellular pathogens and cancer.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Yun Ju Choi, Kseniia Zaikova, Soo-Jin Yeom, Yeong-Su Kim, Dong Wook Lee
Summary: Cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs) mainly contain neutral lipids and are considered energy reserves. TAG synthesis in plants involves the cooperation of plastids and the endoplasmic reticulum, with several proteins playing important roles in LD formation. Oleosin is critical for LD integrity and stability, while SDP1 is responsible for mobilizing TAGs in LDs.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yanbin Liu, Chong Mei John Koh, Sihui Amy Yap, Lin Cai, Lianghui Ji
Summary: This study characterized key fatty acid desaturase genes in Rhodotorula toruloides, revealing their important roles in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, membrane stress resistance, and biomass production. Manipulation of these genes could lead to high-level fatty acid production.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Yingqi Cai, Xiao-Hong Yu, John Shanklin
Summary: Plants convert carbohydrates into energy-dense lipids through photosynthesis, making plant oils an economically and sustainably attractive feedstock for biofuels and value-added bioproducts. Various strategies have been developed to enhance lipid accumulation and produce specialty lipids with increased uses and value. Successful metabolic engineering involves expression of lipogenic factors from other sources or with specialized functionality.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sami Kazaz, Romane Miray, Loic Lepiniec, Sebastien Baud
Summary: Monounsaturated fatty acids are important components synthesized by plants, with unique structures and biological functions, widely used in the food and chemical industries. Ongoing research into the links between fatty acid structures and functions provides a theoretical basis for the development of new crops rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.
PROGRESS IN LIPID RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Changcheng Xu, Jilian Fan
Summary: This review discusses the metabolic interplay between autophagy and lipid droplet dynamics, mechanisms of lipophagy, and cellular management of lipotoxic stress during autophagy. Autophagy degrades membrane lipids to provide fatty acids for energy production, while lipid droplets can be degraded via lipophagy in times of energy scarcity. However, lipid droplets are also necessary for efficient autophagic processes, and cells must carefully manage the cytotoxic effects of free fatty acids during autophagy-mediated mobilization for energy generation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Paulina Lipinska, Piotr Pawlak, Ewelina Warzych
Summary: Mammalian embryo development is influenced by several metabolic processes, particularly energy metabolism. The storage of lipids during preimplantation stages may affect the quality of embryos. This study aimed to characterize lipid droplets (LD) during different developmental stages in bovine and porcine embryos, as well as embryos from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and parthenogenetic activation (PA). The results showed that lipid parameters differed between IVF and PA bovine embryos at crucial stages of development, suggesting dysregulation of lipid metabolism in PA embryos. Additionally, bovine embryos exhibited higher lipid content during the early genome activation (EGA) stage and lower lipid content during the blastocyst stage compared to porcine embryos, indicating species-dependent energy demands. Overall, lipid droplet parameters vary significantly among developmental stages, species, and genome origin.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Mathieu Johnson, Sarah Nowlan, Guelsuem Sahin, David A. Barnett, Andrew P. Joy, Mohamed Touaibia, Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf, Daina Zofija Avizonis, Sandra Turcotte
Summary: Kidney cancer is a common type of cancer and its incidence has increased in the past two decades. A new study has identified a small molecule called STF-62247 that specifically targets renal tumors lacking the VHL gene. The study also found that STF-62247 affects glucose, pyruvate, glycerol 3-phosphate, glutamate, asparagine, and glutathione levels in cancer cells.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Melissa Gonzalez-Soto, David M. Mutch
Summary: This review highlights that mRNA expression and activity of desaturase and elongase enzymes are influenced by various dietary components, including macronutrients, micronutrients, and polyphenols. Understanding how these components influence LC-PUFA synthesis will help further our understanding of how dietary patterns impact disease risks, from caloric excesses to micronutrient deficiencies.
ADVANCES IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu-Lei Jia, Yu-Zhou Wang, Fang-Tong Nong, Wang Ma, Peng-Wei Huang, Xiao-Man Sun
Summary: This study identified and verified the presence of fatty acid desaturase genes in Schizochytrium. By genetically engineering these genes, the researchers were able to regulate the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the algae, providing valuable insights for optimizing the fatty acid composition of Schizochytrium in the future.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junyeob Kim, Eun-Jung Lee, Kyung-Eun Lee, Youn-Hwa Nho, Jeoungjin Ryu, Su Young Kim, Jeong Kyun Yoo, Seunghyun Kang, Sang Woo Seo
Summary: In this study, a new strain of Rhodotorula toruloides LAB-07 was isolated and identified, with a genome size of 20.78 Mb and 5296 predicted protein-coding genes. It was found that this strain can produce high levels of fatty acids under different culture conditions. Moreover, the extracted lipid fraction of R. toruloides demonstrated antioxidant activity and showed potential benefits for skin health, indicating its promising application as a cosmetic ingredient.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryuto Maruyama, Yasuhiro Kudo, Tomoyasu Sugiyama
Summary: In this study, a new strategy was developed to reduce the accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs) in cancer cells by identifying new genes using an RNA interference (RNAi) screening system. The MED6 gene was identified as a target gene that regulates lipid metabolism and suppresses LD accumulation.
Review
Cell Biology
Mauro Danielli, Leja Perne, Eva Jarc Jovicic, Toni Petan
Summary: Lipid droplets are organelles that store fat and play a critical role in regulating lipid metabolism. They undergo a continuous turnover process of biogenesis and breakdown to meet the cell's needs for fatty acids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids. Precise regulation of lipid droplet turnover is crucial for maintaining the distribution and homeostasis of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Shin-Hoo Park, Seong-Woo Bae, Kyoung-Yun Jeong, Eun-Hee Koo, Jong-Ho Choi, Ji-Hyeon Park, Seong-Ho Kong, Won-Sil Choi, Do Joong Park, Hyuk-Joon Lee, Han-Kwang Yang
Summary: This study found that the droplet particles in the peritoneal fluid after laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery contained various types of fatty acids, some of which were found to be associated with inflammatory response.
SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yao Zhang, Yanxia Wang, Junhuan Yang, Wu Yang, Xiuwen Wang, Chen Wu, Yuanda Song
Summary: In this study, genetically engineered strains of Mucor circinelloides overexpressing CBH2 and D6 genes were constructed to effectively use cellulose for GLA synthesis. The coexpression of CBH2 and D6 significantly increased the biomass, lipid yield, and GLA production compared to the control strain. This work provides a theoretical basis for the transformation of cellulose into functional GLA.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael N. Trinh, Michael S. Brown, Joseph L. Goldstein, Jaeil Han, Goncalo Vale, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Joachim Seemann, Joshua T. Mendell, Feiran Lu
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuzhu Wang, Junjie Li, Indhumathy Subramaniyan, Goncalo Dias do Vale, Jaideep Chaudhary, Arnida Anwar, Mary Wight-Carter, Jeffrey G. McDonald, William C. Putnam, Tao Qin, Hongwei Zhang, Ian R. Corbin
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melissa Ellermann, Alline R. Pacheco, Angel G. Jimenez, Regan M. Russell, Santiago Cuesta, Aman Kumar, Wenhan Zhu, Goncalo Vale, Sarah A. Martin, Prithvi Raj, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Sebastian E. Winter, Vanessa Sperandio
Article
Biology
Suneeta Chimalapati, Marcela de Souza Santos, Alexander E. Lafrance, Ann Ray, Wan-Ru Lee, Giomar Rivera-Cancel, Goncalo Vale, Krzysztof Pawlowski, Matthew A. Mitsche, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Jen Liou, Kim Orth
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Junjie Li, Diana Canseco, Yuzhu Wang, Goncalo Vale, Jaideep Chaudhary, Arnida Anwar, Hamid Baniasadi, Noelle S. Williams, Purva Gopal, Patrick D. Sutphin, Jeffrey G. McDonald, William C. Putnam, Ian R. Corbin
Summary: Hepatic-arterial infusion of LDL nanoparticles reconstituted with DHA was found to be safe and well tolerated in a rat model, with no significant adverse effects observed. The nanoparticles were rapidly extracted by the liver and lipidomics analyses showed preferential oxidation to an anti-inflammatory mediator. This treatment may offer potential hepatoprotective benefits.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lila Gonzalez-Hodar, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Goncalo Vale, Bonne M. Thompson, Ana-Maria Figueroa, Pablo J. Tapia, Fermin Robledo, Anil K. Agarwal, Abhimanyu Garg, Jay D. Horton, Victor Cortes
Summary: The adipocytes from Agpat2(-/-) mice have impaired adipogenesis and fewer caveolae, but insulin signaling remains conserved. Lipid composition changes during adipogenesis in wild type adipocytes while levels of main phospholipids decrease in both genotypes.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chenlu Zhang, Mahendran Chinnappan, A. Courtney Prestwood, Marshall Edwards, Methinee Artami, M. Bonne Thompson, M. Kaitlyn Eckert, Goncalo Vale, C. Christos Zouboulis, G. Jeffrey McDonald, A. Tamia Harris-Tryon
Summary: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by skin dryness, inflammation, and itch, with a connection to abnormalities in sex steroid hormone synthesis. Targeting sex steroid hormone synthesis pathways may be a therapeutic avenue to restoring normal skin barrier function in AD patients.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaorong Fu, Stanislaw Deja, Justin A. Fletcher, Norma N. Anderson, Monika Mizerska, Goncalo Vale, Jeffrey D. Browning, Jay D. Horton, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Matthew A. Mitsche, Shawn C. Burgess
Summary: Researchers have successfully quantified lipid synthesis flux in humans and mice using high-resolution mass spectrometry after brief and low-dose deuterated water administration, demonstrating the importance of the new method for understanding mechanisms and guiding interventions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael N. Trinh, Michael S. Brown, Joachim Seemann, Goncalo Vale, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Joseph L. Goldstein, Feiran Lu
Summary: Asters are involved in the transport of LDL cholesterol from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum. Their action primarily depends on phosphatidylserine (PS).
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Fei Luo, Eriks Smagris, Sarah A. Martin, Goncalo Vale, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Justin A. Fletcher, Shawn C. Burgess, Helen H. Hobbs, Jonathan C. Cohen
Summary: Through gene editing, researchers successfully established a Tm6sf2(-/-) rat model and found that the loss of the TM6SF2 gene could lead to fatty liver disease and reduced plasma lipid levels. The study revealed that TM6SF2 is predominantly located in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, promoting lipidation of apolipoprotein B, thereby preventing the occurrence of fatty liver disease.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shaojie Cui, Glenn Simmons, Goncalo Vale, Yaqin Deng, Jungyeon Kim, Hyeonwoo Kim, Ruihui Zhang, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Jin Ye
Summary: This study reveals that Fas-associated factor 1 (FAF1) interacts directly with free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and this interaction is crucial for protecting cells from ferroptosis. FAF1 assembles a globular structure that sequesters free PUFAs into a hydrophobic core, preventing PUFA peroxidation and ultimately inhibiting ferroptosis initiation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caterina Bartolacci, Cristina Andreani, Goncalo Vale, Stefano Berto, Margherita Melegari, Anna Colleen Crouch, Dodge L. Baluya, George Kemble, Kurt Hodges, Jacqueline Starrett, Katerina Politi, Sandra L. Starnes, Daniele Lorenzini, Maria Gabriela Raso, Luisa M. Solis Soto, Carmen Behrens, Humam Kadara, Boning Gao, Ignacio I. Wistuba, John D. Minna, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Pier Paolo Scaglioni
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caterina Bartolacci, Cristina Andreani, Goncalo Vale, Stefano Berto, Margherita Melegari, Anna Colleen Crouch, Dodge L. Baluya, George Kemble, Kurt Hodges, Jacqueline Starrett, Katerina Politi, Sandra L. Starnes, Daniele Lorenzini, Maria Gabriela Raso, Luisa M. Solis Soto, Carmen Behrens, Humam Kadara, Boning Gao, Ignacio I. Wistuba, John D. Minna, Jeffrey G. McDonald, Pier Paolo Scaglioni
Summary: Mutant KRAS is associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer and promotes lipid metabolism. This study reveals that fatty acid synthesis is crucial for the viability of mutant KRAS lung cancer cells. Blocking fatty acid synthesis or the Lands cycle promotes ferroptosis, a type of cell death characterized by the accumulation of oxidation-prone phospholipids. Mutant KRAS makes lung cancer cells more reliant on newly synthesized fatty acids.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)