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Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Exploring the Regulation of Lipid Droplet Catabolism through Lipophagy
Published on: January 31, 2025
PPARδ is a regulator of autophagy by its phosphorylation
Qian Gou1, Yidan Jiang1, Runyun Zhang1
1Institute of Life Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212013, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
In response to nutrient deficiency, autophagy degrades cytoplasmic materials and organelles in lysosomes, which is nutrient recycling, whereas activation of EGFR mediates autophagy suppression in response to growth factors. It is unclear whether PPARδ could be the regulator of autophagy in response to active EGFR. Here we found that EGFR induced PPARδ phosphorylation at tyrosine-108 leading to increased binding of LC3 to PPARδ by its LIR (LC3 interacting region) motif, consequently, inhibited autophagic flux. Conversely, EGFR inhibitor treatment reversed this event. Furthermore, EGFR-mediated PPARδ phosphorylation at tyrosine-108 led to autophagy inhibition and tumor growth. These findings suggest that PPARδ serves as a regulator of autophagy by its phosphorylation.
Insights
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) activation suppresses autophagy by phosphorylating PPARδ, inhibiting nutrient recycling and promoting tumor growth. This phosphorylation links EGFR signaling to autophagy regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Oncology
- Autophagy Research
Background:
- Autophagy is a cellular process for nutrient recycling, suppressed by growth factors like EGFR.
- The role of PPARδ in EGFR-mediated autophagy regulation was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if PPARδ regulates autophagy in response to active EGFR.
- To elucidate the mechanism of EGFR-mediated autophagy suppression.
Main Methods:
- Investigated EGFR-induced PPARδ phosphorylation at tyrosine-108.
- Analyzed the interaction between LC3 and PPARδ using its LIR motif.
- Assessed the impact of EGFR activation and inhibition on autophagic flux and tumor growth.
Main Results:
- EGFR induces PPARδ phosphorylation at tyrosine-108.
- Phosphorylated PPARδ binds to LC3, inhibiting autophagic flux.
- EGFR inhibitor treatment reversed these effects.
- EGFR-mediated PPARδ phosphorylation correlated with autophagy inhibition and tumor growth.
Conclusions:
- PPARδ acts as a key regulator of autophagy.
- EGFR signaling suppresses autophagy through PPARδ phosphorylation.
- This pathway is implicated in tumor growth.
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