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Small-Molecule Modulation of Lipid-Dependent Cellular Processes against Cancer: Fats on the Gunpoint

Aswin T Srivatsav1, Manjari Mishra1, Shobhna Kapoor1

  • 1Membrane Biophysics and Chemical Biology Lab, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai 400076, India.

Biomed Research International
|September 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Altered cell membrane lipids and signaling pathways are critical in cancer. This review highlights how targeting lipid rafts, metabolism, and sorting offers new avenues for lipid-based anticancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cell membranes, composed of lipids and proteins, regulate cellular signaling.
  • These processes are often altered in cancer cells, indicating lipids' crucial role.
  • Lipid biomolecules are increasingly recognized for their impact on cancer initiation and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of membrane lipids as signaling hubs.
  • To explore how lipid rafts and their modulation contribute to cancer phenotypes.
  • To identify drug targets and pathways for lipid-based anticancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current understanding of membrane lipid signaling.
  • Analysis of lipid rafts' function and modulation in cancer.
  • Identification of potential small-molecule drug targets and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Membrane lipids act as signaling hot spots, forming distinct microdomains (rafts).
  • Dysregulation of lipid rafts and metabolism is observed in cancer.
  • Targeting lipid organization, metabolism, and sorting presents potential therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Lipid-based strategies are emerging as critical intervention points for anticancer therapy.
  • Further research into lipid metabolism and signaling in cancer is warranted.
  • Rewiring lipid metabolism and targeting membrane rafts show promise for novel cancer treatments.

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