Project P2

Lipid droplet heterogeneity in cancer proliferation and stress resistance

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that play vital roles in the control of cellular lipid metabolism. Cancer cells induce LD formation in response to the activation of different oncogenic signaling pathways or changes in nutrient and oxygen availability in the tumor microenvironment. LD heterogeneity, as defined by differences in molecular composition, number, localization and appearance, contributes to their dynamic function in controlling cellular bioenergetics and stress response. Targeting of different fatty acids to LDs is controlled by a group of enzymes that selectively catalyze the activation and coupling of different fatty acids during triglyceride synthesis. The aim of the proposed project is to investigate the role of enzymes that control fatty acid channeling and LD diversification in promoting cellular bioenergetics, oxidative stress resistance and oncogenic signaling in cancer cells. The results anticipated from this project will provide comprehensive insight into the role of LD heterogeneity in liver cancer.

Principle Investigators