Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic cytoplasmic organelles present in most eukaryotic cells. The appearance of LDs in neurons is not usually observed under physiological conditions, but is associated with neural diseases. It remains unclear how LD dynamics is regulated in neurons and how the appearance of LDs affects neuronal functions.
Research team led by Prof. HUANG Xun discovered that mutations of two key lipolysis genes atgl‐1 and lid‐1 lead to LD appearance in neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans. This neuronal lipid accumulation protects neurons from hyperactivation‐triggered neurodegeneration, with a mild decrease in touch sensation. The study also discovered that reduced biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) causes similar effects and synergizes with decreased lipolysis. Researchers demonstrated that these changes in lipolysis and PUFA biosynthesis increase PUFA partitioning toward triacylglycerol, and reduced incorporation of PUFAs into phospholipids increases neuronal protection. Together, the results suggest the crucial role of neuronal lipolysis in cell‐autonomous regulation of neural functions and neurodegeneration.
This work was published online in EMBO Reports on October 9. PhD fellow YANG Leilei graduate from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences is the first author. Prof. HUAGN Xun is the corresponding author, who is also a doctoral supervisor at University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
