Researchers from NUS Medicine and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered how blood cells release S1P, a key signalling lipid, into the bloodstream. S1P plays a crucial role in keeping blood vessels healthy and supporting normal cell function. The study used cryo-electron microscopy and computer simulations to capture a d...
A University of Arizona research team has developed a nanotechnology-based platform combining paclitaxel with siRNA to enhance the immune response against lung cancer. The approach exploits an 'eat me' signal on dying cancer cells, attracting immune cells and initiating tumor death.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered how dehydration enables calcium to pass through the NMDAR channel, revealing key molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. This finding has implications for brain development and disease, including GRIN disorders that cause severe developmental disabilities.
Researchers at the University of Graz and the University of California, San Diego have developed a novel method to determine omega positions of lipids in complex biological samples. This breakthrough enables the study of biological mechanisms in unprecedented detail, particularly for inflammation-related diseases.
Researchers at the University of Ottawa have made a breakthrough in developing nanoparticles that not only deliver drugs but also contribute to treatment. Their proof-of-concept study shows that particles can be armed with therapeutic potential, revolutionizing the field of nanomedicine.
A team of Chinese researchers identified a novel intercellular signaling mechanism between adipocytes and hepatocytes in endoplasmic reticulum stress response. The study reveals that ceramide, a fat molecule, plays a key role in activating the unfolded protein response pathway in hepatocytes.
Researchers found that administration of fish oil reduced insulin resistance and improved blood sugar levels in non-obese rats, reversing a condition similar to type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may be a key factor in reducing inflammation and improving glucose metabolism.
A new study from NUS Medicine has found that the protein Spns1 plays a key role in recycling fats out of cell compartments called lysosomes, preventing diseases like lysosomal storage disorders. The research uses cryoelectron microscopy to understand how Spns1 transports fats and highlights its importance for cellular health.
Researchers identified a link between Alzheimer's disease, cell function, and cholesterol in the brain. Lowering oxysterol levels freed trapped ABCA1, restoring its healthy state, and showed potential as a new treatment approach.
Overexpressing hepatic SLC7A11 leads to glutamate and serine deficiency, promoting MASLD progression through ferroptosis. Serine supplementation rescues the disease phenotype.
The study marked a significant milestone in lipidomics, establishing reference values for ceramides and plasma lipids involved in cardiovascular disease risk prediction. The global network of laboratories achieved better-than-anticipated comparability in results using different methods and instrumentations.
Associate Professor Justine Tigno-Aranjuez received a $1 million NSF CAREER Award to study the impact of the NOD2 pathway on inflammation. Her research aims to understand how lipid mediators are produced and how they influence inflammation.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center discover targeting an immunosuppressive protein on two fronts reduces metastasis and restores sensitivity to immunotherapy in a preclinical model. TNBC cells become resistant to immunotherapy due to membrane instability, enabling PD-L1 protein to drop inside the cell.
A new study reveals that fasting helps regenerate and heal intestinal injuries, but also increases the risk of developing early-stage intestinal tumors in mice. The researchers identified a pathway enabling this enhanced regeneration, which is activated during refeeding after fasting.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for diabetic retinopathy that addresses the root cause of the disease, preventing progression and potential blindness. The anti-ceramide immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in animal and cell culture models, offering a safer alternative to current treatments.
Research suggests that altered lipid signaling in brain cells contributes to mental disorders, with specific inhibitors showing promise in rebalancing this mechanism. The study found similar changes in both human patients and healthy relatives, as well as mice with genetic disorders, opening up new treatment opportunities.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys and Vanderbilt University have identified phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinases (PI5P4Ks) as a key regulator of the hippo pathway, which is dysregulated in cancer. The study suggests that targeting PI5P4Ks may lead to new treatments for cancers with abnormal hippo signaling.
Researchers found a genetic link between higher circulating levels of arachidonic acid and lower risk for bipolar disorder. The study suggests that altering arachidonic acid synthesis pathways may reduce bipolar disorder risk, particularly in those with compromised pathways.
Research reveals that FoxO6 upregulates ApoC3, leading to increased lipid accumulation and liver damage in aged rats on a high-fat diet. The study suggests that targeting this pathway may offer therapeutic strategies against hepatic steatosis.
TMEM16F, a transmembrane protein, exhibits a wide range of structural conformations that enable its diverse functions. The study reveals unexpected changes in dimerization interface and subunit arrangements, suggesting a dynamic and versatile mechanism for lipid scrambling and ion movement across the cell membrane.
Groundbreaking research reveals key insights into plant-AM fungi interactions, including the roles of two proteins, CKL1 and CKL2, which control lipid flow essential for fungal survival. This symbiosis could lead to advances in agricultural sustainability and crop resilience.
A genome-wide association study reveals 34 genes potentially involved in choosing a vegetarian diet, including those related to lipid metabolism and brain function. The findings suggest that genetics play a role in the ability to subsist on a vegetarian diet.
Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University discovered a new mechanism that stimulates brain-autonomous neural repair after ischemic stroke by secreting lipids. The mechanism involves PLA2G2E, which increases dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) levels, promoting inflammation reduction and neuronal repair.
A team of researchers identified a specific subtype of complement-producing macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions that exacerbate plaque necrosis and cardiovascular events. The study suggests a potential therapeutic target to control complement activation within cells, which may also apply to other chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers developed a new method, photoacoustic spectral analysis (PASA), to analyze the tumor microenvironment without invasive procedures. The technique uses laser light and sound waves to identify different types of tumors with high accuracy.
A study by IMBA researchers links muscle degeneration to a deficiency in the enzyme PCYT2, essential for lipid synthesis. PCYT2 depletion affects mitochondrial function and muscle energetics, highlighting the importance of lipid balance in muscle health.
A study by researchers at TUM found that gut bacteria play a crucial role in liver regeneration. The microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids, which are essential for liver cell growth and division. In mice treated with antibiotics, liver regeneration was delayed or not possible, but a
A University of Jyväskylä study found that estrogen deficiency affects systemic signaling in response to exercise. Exercise typically induces changes in micro-RNA molecules, but estrogen levels impact this process in postmenopausal women.
Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have discovered a new mechanism for slowing scarring of heart tissue, a process known as cardiac fibrosis. The study's findings suggest that inhibiting the degradation of eicosanoids may be a promising approach to preventing or reversing cardiac fibrosis.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that regulating the electrical charge on the inner side of the cell membrane can activate pathways responsible for cell movement. This finding has potential implications for understanding cancer cell migration and immune cell function.
Researchers have identified a class of lipids called SGDGs that decline in the brain with age and may have anti-inflammatory effects. These findings could lead to new therapeutic interventions for age-related neurological diseases. Further research will be needed to explore the role of SGDGs in human neuroinflammation.
The study reveals how the activating partner PI5P interacts with two different regions of regulatory protein UHRF1, showing its role in modulating complex proteins. This finding could breathe new life into the search for UHRF1-directed medicines.
A study at Michigan Medicine found multiple lipid biomarkers linked to diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. High scores for neuropathy were associated with changes in lipids reflecting impaired energy metabolism, suggesting a potential target for testing and managing the condition.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a universal mechanism for lysosomal repair, known as the PITT pathway, which helps maintain cellular longevity. The study reveals that damaged lysosomes are quickly repaired through the PITT pathway, but defects in this process can contribute to age-related diseases such as Al...
Gut bacteria produce inositol lipids, vital for cellular processes in humans, and these substances impact the symbiosis between bacteria and their hosts. The discovery sheds light on how gut bacteria thrive in their human hosts.
Researchers found that a protein called nuclear hormone receptor 49 (NHR-49) moves from the cytosol to the nucleus when lipids are depleted, triggering a cascade of gene activity. This mechanism allows cells to universally gauge lipid levels without distinguishing between different types of lipids.
Breast cancer cells accumulate intracellular lipid droplets in acidic environments, leading to poor outcomes and disease progression. Targeting the acid-sensing receptor OGR1 may inhibit stress responses and cell growth.
Researchers have captured the first real-time signaling cascade of a wild-type receptor in its native membrane environment using mass spectrometry. The study reveals the impact of lipids on rhodopsin signaling and regeneration, demonstrating potential new targets for therapeutic value in the visual system.
A study found a shift in the profile of specialized lipid mediators from pro-resolving to pro-inflammatory in patients with cognitive impairment, correlating with severity of cognition impairment. The researchers identified novel mechanisms of brain health and potential therapeutic targets for slowing down Alzheimer's disease onset.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans and Karolinska Institutet found that intranasal application of pro-resolving lipid mediators arrested memory loss and brain degeneration in an experimental Alzheimer's model. This discovery opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's disease.
A new system called PRMC-MS enables the comprehensive analysis of phosphoinositide acyl variants in various types of biological samples. This method allows for the simultaneous measurement of all eight classes of phosphoinositides and detection of tiny changes in intracellular levels.
A U-M study defines how a cytokine and fatty acid combination triggers ferroptosis, a type of cell death previously studied with synthetic molecules. This natural mechanism could make immunotherapy treatments more effective, particularly for cancers where the treatments currently work for only about 30% of patients.
Researchers found that people with ALS have higher levels of arachidonic acid, a lipid involved in inflammation, and that tampering with this pathway can reduce muscle-weakening symptoms. The study suggests that targeting the arachidonic acid pathway may offer potential new therapies for Lou Gehrig's disease.
Researchers have identified a specific molecular mechanism that controls the transition from acute to chronic pain. Disabling an intracellular enzyme called N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) can halt chronic pain development in mice, suggesting a new class of drugs to treat various forms of chronic pain.
A postgenomic study reveals that an enriched environment stimulates sensory perceptions by regulating synapses and altering lipid metabolism. The researchers found 178 proteins and 20 lipids to be significantly regulated depending on the environmental condition.
Researchers found glycerin, a natural ingredient in many skin lotions, reduces psoriasis symptoms by calming scaly patches and promoting healthy skin cell maturation. The study's results support anecdotal reports from patients with psoriasis, providing objective evidence of glycerin's effectiveness in combatting the condition.
Researchers found that Viburnum tinus plants' blue fruits owe their color to fat in their cellular structure, a first in nature. The combination of bright blue color and high nutritional content makes the fruits an irresistible treat for birds.
Research suggests that beta cells produce signals that aid their own demise in Type 1 diabetes, leading to increased inflammation and damage. The study found that the absence of a specific enzyme enhances anti-inflammatory responses, while its overexpression promotes inflammatory ones.
Researchers discovered a molecular switch, PI3KC2A, that regulates signaling cascades in cells. Activating or inhibiting this enzyme may lead to new therapies for cancer and diabetes. The study's findings provide unprecedented insight into cellular processes and offer potential targets for treatment.
Daniela Kraft has been selected as the winner of the Biophysical Journal Paper of the Year Award for 2017 for her research on microparticle assembly pathways on lipid membranes. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to biophysics, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research in this field.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a fast and short-lived spike in signaling lipid PI3,5P2 that helps protect yeast cells from high salt stress before gene expression takes over. The study suggests that this early protection pathway may exist in other organisms and respond to different types of cellular stress.
Researchers at UAB found that a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce heart inflammation and failure in aged mice, as opposed to a Western-style diet high in omega-6 fatty acids. The study identifies key lipid signaling pathways involved in the disease process.
Researchers have discovered a new cancer drug target, TIPE3, which promotes tumor growth by hijacking lipid signaling pathways. Abnormal expression of TIPE3 has been linked to various types of cancer, including lung, colon, and ovarian cancers, making it a potential therapeutic target for treating malignant diseases.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found a new target for treating chronic pain by targeting the enzyme PIP5K1C. By reducing the level of this enzyme, they showed that the levels of a crucial lipid called PIP2 in pain-sensing neurons is also lessened, thus decreasing pain.
The American Society of Plant Biologists has announced seven winners of the Women's Young Investigator Travel Award, providing $1000 travel grants for female investigators in their first five years as independent scientists. The program aims to increase attendance at the annual meeting and support women in plant biology.
Dr. Mangelsdorf has identified several new molecules that activate orphan nuclear receptors, providing a new approach for treating parasitic infections. His work holds important implications for the treatment of several diseases, including those related to cholesterol and lipid metabolism.
Researchers discovered that insulin signaling converges with nutrient metabolism pathways to regulate lipid synthesis in the liver. The study suggests that multiple pathways are required for insulin-resistant livers to accumulate lipids.
A massive research project, LIPID MAPS, has identified the complete complement of lipids within cells and gained insight into their role in cellular functions. The new knowledge may have significant implications for understanding diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a novel link between excessive nutrient levels and insulin resistance. The enzyme OGT plays a crucial role in regulating insulin signaling by slamming the brake on glucose uptake, leading to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
University of Michigan scientists found a significant connection between the lipid PI(3,5)P2 and neuronal health, revealing potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Lowered levels of this signaling molecule lead to massive neurodegeneration in mice.