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Circadian clock and lipid metabolism disorders: a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer

Mengsi Liu1,2,3,4, Zhen Zhang5, Yating Chen1,2,3,4

  • 1School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|January 8, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The circadian clock influences lipid metabolism and cancer growth. Targeting fatty acid synthesis enzymes, alongside chronotherapy, may improve cancer treatment efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Chronobiology

Background:

  • The interplay between circadian rhythms and lipid metabolism is increasingly recognized in cancer.
  • Lipid metabolism dysregulation is a hallmark of many tumors.
  • Circadian clock genes regulate metabolic pathways crucial for cell growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how the circadian clock regulates lipid metabolism.
  • To explore the impact of this regulation on carcinogenesis.
  • To identify therapeutic targets within lipid metabolism pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on circadian clock genes and lipid metabolism enzymes.
  • Analysis of transcription factors (e.g., SREBP) and their role in fatty acid synthesis.
  • Examination of key enzymes: SREBP, ACLY, ACC, FASN, and SCD.

Main Results:

  • Circadian clock genes (BMAL1, REV-ERB, DEC) influence transcription factors regulating fatty acid synthesis.
  • Key enzymes in fatty acid synthesis are potential targets for cancer therapy.
  • Disrupting these enzymes can inhibit tumor growth by altering lipid metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • There is a strong link between circadian clock regulation and fatty acid synthesis.
  • Targeting fatty acid synthesis enzymes is a promising cancer therapeutic strategy.
  • Personalized chronotherapy, considering drug timing, can enhance treatment efficacy.
Keywords:
SREBPcancercircadian clockfatty acid syntheticlipid metabolism

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