{"title":"From kinetoplastids to cancer: A magical myristate tour","authors":"Kyle Lethcoe, Robert O. Ryan","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101362","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101362","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Myristic acid (14:0) is a relatively minor fatty acid in terms of abundance yet, in certain biological settings, it has a major impact. Although normally synthesized via the classical fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, in specific cases where larger quantities of myristate are required, animals express distinct thioesterase enzymes that hydrolyze the acyl-S-fatty acid synthase thioester bond prior to further chain elongation. In the parasitic kinetoplastid, <em>Trypanosoma brucei</em>, myristate is required for biosynthesis of dimyristoyl-glycosylphosphatidylinositol membrane anchors, to which variable surface glycoproteins are attached. This extracellular coat protein is changed periodically, allowing the parasite to evade host adaptive immunity. In protein N-myristoylation, this acyl chain is attached to N-terminal glycine residues via an amide bond. A search for inhibitors of N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) activity led to discovery of pyrazole sulfonamide compounds with potent <em>T. brucei</em> NMT inhibitory activity. While clinical development of these inhibitors for parasite-induced disease has not been realized, the observation that pyrazole sulfonamides possess anticancer activity led to drug development studies. Findings obtained with a specific pyrazole sulfonamide compound, branded as zelenirstat, have yielded promising results in cell culture studies, animal models and human clinical trials. This review describes research undertaken to validate zelenirstat as a cancer therapy option.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"101 ","pages":"Article 101362"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145657540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M.F. Nanì , M.M. Rinaldi , M. Miraglia, R. Amico, P. De Cicco , B. Romano
{"title":"N-Acylethanolamines in cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic potential of lipid regulators of tumor behavior","authors":"M.F. Nanì , M.M. Rinaldi , M. Miraglia, R. Amico, P. De Cicco , B. Romano","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>N</em>-Acylethanolamines (NAEs) are endogenous bioactive lipids generated from membrane glycerophospholipids, with key members including arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide, AEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). These molecules engage multiple receptor systems such as cannabinoid (CB) receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels to regulate inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolic signaling. Mounting evidence indicates that NAEs also exert multifaceted effects on tumor biology, influencing several hallmarks of cancer including proliferative signaling, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and resistance to cell death. Moreover, emerging congeners such as stearoylethanolamide (SEA) and linoleoylethanolamide (LEA) are gaining recognition for their roles in tumor-associated metabolic reprogramming and the control of inflammatory microenvironments. The enzymatic machinery that governs NAE synthesis (NAPE-PLD) and degradation (including FAAH and NAAA) represents a promising therapeutic axis for modulating NAE signaling in cancer. This review integrates current insights into the mechanistic functions of NAEs in oncogenesis, with a focus on their signaling networks, interaction with the tumor microenvironment, and the translational relevance of targeting NAE pathways in cancer therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101358"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145424002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie Hennebelle , Lorenz Plankensteiner , Constantinos V. Nikiforidis
{"title":"Physical and oxidative stability of lipid droplets (oleosomes) in seeds and emulsions","authors":"Marie Hennebelle , Lorenz Plankensteiner , Constantinos V. Nikiforidis","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101360","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101360","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plants have developed a natural solution to a challenge that has long occupied emulsion scientists: how to stably maintain lipids in an aqueous environment while preventing physical and oxidative degradation. Lipid droplets (LDs) are abundant in oilseeds, containing the triacylglycerols (vegetable oils). The physical stability of LDs is ensured by their interface that prevents coalescence, and together with surrounding molecules, protects against oxidation. Despite these advantageous properties of LDs as a whole, industrial vegetable oil extraction often involves the use of organic solvents that dissolve the apolar triacylglycerols, discarding the natural protective mechanism of the LD interfacial molecules. Understanding the structure-function role of the LD interface is essential for inspiring the industrial design of stable emulsions. Our review offers insights into the mechanisms underlying the exceptional stability of LDs in seeds, and after their extraction to create aqueous LD dispersions. We emphasize the key role of the interfacial layer in maintaining their physical stability, in particular through the formation of a dense, elastic network by oleosins, the most abundant proteins on the LD interface. Additionally, we highlight the multi-layered antioxidant system developed by seeds to protect LDs from oxidation, comprising both intrinsic (tocopherols) and extrinsic (phenolics and storage proteins) components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101360"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145531346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katarzyna Smolińska , Aleksandra Szopa , Piotr Dobrowolski , Jacek Dziedzic , Norbert Nowak , Anna Serefko , Michał Mirecki , Jan Sobczyński , Timo Ylikomi , Matthias Nees
{"title":"Targeting fatty acid-binding protein 4: A therapeutic intersection of obesity and cancer via lipid metabolism","authors":"Katarzyna Smolińska , Aleksandra Szopa , Piotr Dobrowolski , Jacek Dziedzic , Norbert Nowak , Anna Serefko , Michał Mirecki , Jan Sobczyński , Timo Ylikomi , Matthias Nees","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101353","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101353","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) has emerged as a multifunctional regulator in cancer biology, linking dysregulated lipid metabolism, immune modulation, and tumor progression. Initially recognized for its role in fatty acid transport and lipid homeostasis, FABP4 is now understood as a secreted adipokine that influences diverse oncogenic processes, particularly in adipose-rich tumor microenvironments. It is upregulated in various cancers and secreted by both tumor and cancer-associated fibroblasts.</div><div>FABP4 facilitates lipid transfer, promotes fatty acid oxidation, and reprograms cancer cell metabolism. It also contributes to the crosstalk between tumor-associated macrophages, T-cells, and dendritic cells. FABP4 also supports epithelial–mesenchymal transition, enhances tumor cell plasticity, promotes invasion and metastasis, and has an impact on therapeutic resistance. The inhibition of FABP4 using small-molecule inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies has shown promise in restoring therapeutic sensitivity and reducing metastasis in preclinical models. FABP4 has emerged as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker that predicts poor outcomes in multiple cancer types, supporting risk stratification and noninvasive diagnostics. Together, these findings place FABP4 at the intersection of tumor metabolism, immune evasion, and therapy resistance, highlighting its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target in precision oncology and personalized medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101353"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145040507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carla Busquets Hernández , Alexandra Tsiotsia , Ludovico Pipitò , Luke H. Chamberlain , Jennifer Greaves , Gemma Triola
{"title":"Different chains for different gains: How acyl chain diversity shapes S-acylated protein function","authors":"Carla Busquets Hernández , Alexandra Tsiotsia , Ludovico Pipitò , Luke H. Chamberlain , Jennifer Greaves , Gemma Triola","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101354","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101354","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>S-Acylation is a critical post-translational modification involving the attachment of fatty acyl chains to a large and diverse array of soluble and membrane proteins. The last two decades have witnessed a substantial acceleration in our understanding of this process, fuelled by the discovery of acylation enzymes, mapping of the cellular S-acylome, and the development of new chemical biology methodologies to interrogate the mechanisms and functional outcomes of this lipid modification. This modification is often referred to as “S-Palmitoylation”, however mass spectrometry analyses have provided compelling evidence that the acyl chains added to S-acylated proteins are diverse, that site-specific attachment of different acyl chains can be seen, and that exogenous fatty acids can modulate the lipid profile of the S-acylome. This heterogeneity is likely generated through a combination of enzyme specificities, Acyl CoA distribution and availability, and specific features of the modified substrate protein. Despite a limited number of functional studies, acyl chain differences can impact protein localisation and function, and could possibly contribute to the development and progression of disease. It is now clear that recognising and understanding the functional consequences of acyl chain heterogeneity is a pivotal step toward a more complete view of lipid-mediated protein regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101354"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145059754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Apolipoproteins in circulation: At the interface of thrombosis and stroke initiation","authors":"Tamara Etuze , Denis Vivien , Fatemeh Dubois","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ischemic stroke, a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, arises predominantly from atherosclerosis and thromboembolic occlusion of cerebral arteries. While advancements in acute interventions such as thrombolysis and thrombectomy have improved outcomes, the identification of upstream molecular drivers remains essential for better prevention and risk stratification. Among these, circulating apolipoproteins, the structural and regulatory proteins of lipoprotein particles, are increasingly recognized as pivotal mediators at the intersection of lipid metabolism, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and thrombosis.</div><div>This review summarizes recent evidence on the diverse roles of apolipoproteins in systemic vascular biology and their contributions to stroke initiation. We examine how specific apolipoproteins influence atherogenesis, plaque instability, coagulation factor dynamics, immune–endothelial interactions and platelet adhesion. Emerging data suggest that functional imbalances among apolipoproteins, independent of conventional lipid levels, may serve as superior predictors of stroke risk and reveal novel mechanistic links between dyslipidemia, immune cell activation and thrombo-inflammation.</div><div>By bridging insights from lipidology, vascular biology and thrombosis research, we position apolipoproteins as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets to reduce the burden of ischemic stroke and improve cerebrovascular health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101343"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144879205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in neurodegenerative disorders: Mixed designs = mixed results","authors":"Simon C. Dyall , Mélanie Plourde","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101356","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101356","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epidemiological studies consistently show an elevated intake of fish and long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, particularly dementia and Alzheimer's disease. These observations are supported by preclinical research, where a range of potential mechanisms have been identified, such as increasing neurogenesis, or regulating inflammation and neuroinflammation via the production of bioactive lipid mediators. However, the results of clinical trials have been inconsistent and mixed, and this may be due to the considerable heterogeneity in trial designs, but also a lack of appreciation of methodological complications unique to omega-3 PUFA research. In this review, we explore omega-3 PUFA specific methodological considerations based around participant selection and trial design. Participant-related aspects include baseline cognitive status, age, sex and genotype, whereas methodological aspects include placebo selection, DHA vs. EPA, chemical form and quality of the omega-3 PUFA preparation, and wider nutrient interactions. We also suggest how consideration of these factors should be included in the design and reporting of clinical trials, with the aim of increasing the validity and reproducibility of research in the field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101356"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Roles of prostaglandin signaling in implantation and decidualization","authors":"Yukihiko Sugimoto , Shizu Aikawa , Tomoaki Inazumi , Yasushi Hirota","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101357","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101357","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Embryo implantation and subsequent decidualization are crucial processes for the establishment of a healthy pregnancy, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain unclear. Prostaglandins (PGs), which are synthesized from arachidonic acid via a pathway involving cyclooxygenase (COX) as the rate-limiting enzyme, have been shown to regulate implantation. Recently, the COX isozymes COX-1 and COX-2 were found to play distinct roles in implantation. Furthermore, the PG receptors involved in decidualization have been identified. In this review, we summarize the role of PGs in implantation from the viewpoint of COX and PG receptors, as well as the interplay between PGs and lysophosphatidic acid upon embryo implantation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101357"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145225845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maša Čater , Martin Šimon , Nicholas M. Morton , Tanja Kunej , Simon Horvat
{"title":"PLA2G4E in health and disease: Insights from omics and functional analyses","authors":"Maša Čater , Martin Šimon , Nicholas M. Morton , Tanja Kunej , Simon Horvat","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101359","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101359","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (PLA<sub>2</sub>) enzyme superfamily has been extensively studied, but comprehensive reviews on cytosolic phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> group IVE (PLA2G4E) remain scarce, limiting our understanding of its role in lipid metabolism and disease. Our review synthesizes current findings on the human <em>PLA2G4E</em> gene and its murine ortholog <em>Pla2g4e</em>, drawing from multi-omics analyses and a range of functional studies. <em>Pla2g4e</em> exhibits distinct expression patterns across tissues, suggesting potential tissue-specific roles. In addition to its phospholipase activity, PLA2G4E exhibits N-acyltransferase activity and responds to calcium influx. Emerging evidence suggests possible involvement in metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, particularly through effects on glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. PLA2G4E has been implicated in the synthesis of N-acylethanolamines with potential effects on energy homeostasis, stress adaptation, neuronal signaling, pain perception, cognition, and motor coordination. Genomic and preliminary functional evidence further point to possible roles in immune regulation and neurobiology, with some associations reported in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Comprehensive insights into the biological roles of PLA2G4E are essential for clarifying its enzymatic functions and potential involvement in disease mechanisms; however, further experimental and clinical studies are needed to substantiate these emerging associations and assess its therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101359"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145499109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Homeocurvature: A new dimension of membrane adaptation to extreme environments","authors":"Jacob R. Winnikoff , Itay Budin","doi":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101355","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.plipres.2025.101355","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adaptation to abiotic factors is essential for life's radiation across the planet. Lipids, particularly sensitive to pressure and temperature (P and T), play a critical role in biochemical adaptation. In oceanic depths, lower temperatures and increasing hydrostatic pressure influence lipid packing. The prevailing model for lipid response to P and T has been homeoviscosity, regulating membrane viscosity. However, our recent systematic analysis of lipid adaptation in ctenophores revealed an alternative homeocurvature model influenced by the spontaneous curvature of phospholipids. This model highlights pressure as a stronger modulator of lipid curvature than membrane fluidity, which is particularly relevant in deep-sea environments. This review aims to enhance understanding of lipidome responses by synthesizing the challenges posed by extreme P and T. We explore the interplay between homeocurvature and homeoviscosity, illustrating the unexpected genesis of the homeocurvature model through chemical and biophysical trends. We apply both models to four published lipidomic datasets from diverse marine taxa, proposing that broader environmental sampling is vital for assessing existing models and discovering new ones. Understanding membrane responses to environmental factors informs the function of cell membranes broadly and helps predict the evolutionary and ecological impacts of global change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20650,"journal":{"name":"Progress in lipid research","volume":"100 ","pages":"Article 101355"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145092522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}