A study uncovers a protein on lipid droplets promotes fat breakdown, opening a new avenue of combating obesity-related diabetes. Related proteins of Flarebio: Recombinant SRD5A1 A lipid droplet protein known as Perilipin 5 plays an important role in regulating cellular lipid metabolism. This is the result of a new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center. The researchers have already reported their findings in the journal Nature Communications. Study senior author Dr Perry Bickel believed their study would facilitate developing treatments for certain lipid metabolic conditions. Defects in lipid metabolism leads to chronic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and diabetic cardiomyopathy. These diseases are prevalent among people. So understanding how cells balance lipid storage and lipid breakdown is very important. The new study identifies Perilipin 5 as a regulator of lipid metabolism. Dr Bickel said that they were surprised to find that this protein enriches in the cell nucleus. Too much fat can build up in the muscles, heart and liver of an obese person, leading to cell damage. Cells use mitochondria to convert fat into fuel for work or heat. Excessive fat can overload the mitochondria, and then they no longer work well. As a result, a large amount of partially processed fats are left in the cells, harming the mitochondria and contributing to the insulin resistance that has been found in type 2 diabetes. The researchers set out to explore fat metabolism in cultured cells and mice. The results showed that when a cell is stimulated to release fat stored in fat droplets, Perilipin 5 is able to leave the fat droplets and enter the nucleus. Then, Perilipin 5 forms transcriptional complexes with PGC-1α and SIRT1, which eventually promotes the generation of new, more powerful mitochondria. Collectively, Perilipin 5 helps match mitochondrial capacity to the lipid load. In conclusion, the study identifies Perilipin 5 not only regulates lipid storage but also promotes lipid breakdown.
