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Updated: May 20, 2025

Exploring the Regulation of Lipid Droplet Catabolism through Lipophagy
Published on: January 31, 2025
Lipid droplet - organelle crosstalk and its implication in cancer
Jing Quan1, Chunhong Zhang1, Xue Chen2
1Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, PR China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Invasion, Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, PR China.
Abstract:
Lipid droplets (LDs) store lipids in cells, provide phospholipids for membrane synthesis, and maintain the intracellular balance of energy and lipid metabolism. Undoubtedly, the crosstalk between LDs and other organelles is the foundation for performing functions. Many studies indicate that LDs promote tumor progression. LD accumulation has been observed in a variety of cancers, and high LD content is associated with malignant phenotype and poor prognosis of cancers. In this paper, we summarized the intimate crosstalk between LDs and intracellular organelles, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, lysosomes and peroxisomes, and addressed the effects of LD-organelle crosstalk on cancer initiation and progression. We also integrated the changes of LD-organelle interactions in cancers to provide an insightful knowledge for cancer therapeutics.
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