91影库

91影库Annual Meeting

Exploring lipid metabolism: A journey through time and innovation

Check out the latest foundational research at #ASBMB25
Christopher Radka Robert N. Helsley
By Christopher Radka and Robert N. Helsley
April 4, 2025

Year after year, groundbreaking research in lipid metabolism fuels new discoveries, transforming our understanding of cellular function and unlocking potential treatments for metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. At the 91影库 and Molecular Biology annual meetings, scientists come together to share the latest breakthroughs — each study building on the last — to push the boundaries of what’s possible in basic research and clinical innovation.

Membrane dynamics and lipid–protein interactions

Lipid–protein interactions are central to maintaining cell membrane integrity, signaling, and protein activity. Disruptions in these interactions have been linked to diseases like Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disorders and autoimmune diseases, making them crucial targets for therapeutic research.

One notable abstract used cryogenic electron microscopy to explore ABHD5, a regulator of lipid homeostasis. This research revealed how ABHD5 interacts with lipids and regulates adipose triglyceride lipase activity, which is essential for lipid breakdown and energy balance. in ABHD5 can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. Therefore, this research lays a foundation for potential NAFLD gene therapies.

In the same year, an on NAFLD investigated oxidized phospholipids that are recognized by an antibody. The researchers used a viral vector to express the antibody in the liver, which protected mice from liver damage and fibrosis. This suggests that oxidized phospholipids could serve as biomarkers for NAFLD and offers new therapeutic possibilities targeting lipid abnormalities.

Building on foundational phospholipid research from previous years, a examined how extracellular crowding agents affect the membrane binding of antimicrobial peptides like Buforin II. This discovery informs researchers on how to design more effective peptides to combat pathogens.

Another explored lipid rafts — specialized membrane regions — and their impact on the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, or hFSHR, crucial for fertility. Mutations in the receptor motif that binds the membrane protein caveolin disrupted signaling, impairing spermatogenesis. These findings emphasize the importance of lipid–protein interactions in cellular function and health.

These studies advance lipid science by examining how lipids and proteins interact to influence cellular function and disease progression. Lipidomics research highlights the diagnostic potential of specific lipid species, while studies on caveolae — lipid-rich membrane domains — demonstrate how membrane structure regulates signaling pathways. Furthermore, research on oxidized phospholipids connects these molecules to oxidative stress in NAFLD, while investigations into the membrane protein caveolin reveal its role in controlling stress-related signaling.

By targeting these lipid–protein interactions, researchers may unlock new therapeutic strategies for NAFLD, reproductive disorders and endothelial dysfunction.

Future of lipid science

Lipid metabolism research is evolving quickly, with breakthroughs reshaping our understanding of cellular function, disease progression and treatment options. Whether you're a researcher, clinician or science enthusiast, 91影库meetings provide a unique opportunity to engage with the latest advancements in lipid science.

Stay up to date with the field and join us in shaping the future of lipid metabolism research. Register for the 91影库annual meeting and be part of this exciting journey.

For lipid-focused sessions at #ASBMB25, check out the symposium on lipids and membranes, organized by of the University of Pittsburgh and of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Enjoy reading 91影库Today?

Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.

Learn more
Christopher Radka

Christopher D. Radka is an assistant professor studying lipid biochemistry in the microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics department at the University of Kentucky. He is also an 91影库Today volunteer contributor.

Robert N. Helsley
Robert N. Helsley

Robert N. Helsley is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and a Journal of Lipid Research junior associate editor.

Featured jobs

from the

Get the latest from 91影库Today

Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.

Latest in Science

Science highlights or most popular articles

Hope for a cure hangs on research
Essay

Hope for a cure hangs on research

July 17, 2025

Amid drastic proposed cuts to biomedical research, rare disease families like Hailey Adkisson鈥檚 fight for survival and hope. Without funding, science can鈥檛 鈥渃atch up鈥 to help the patients who need it most.

Before we鈥檝e lost what we can鈥檛 rebuild: Hope for prion disease
Feature

Before we鈥檝e lost what we can鈥檛 rebuild: Hope for prion disease

July 15, 2025

Sonia Vallabh and Eric Minikel, a husband-and-wife team racing to cure prion disease, helped develop ION717, an antisense oligonucleotide treatment now in clinical trials. Their mission is personal 鈥 and just getting started.

Defeating deletions and duplications
News

Defeating deletions and duplications

July 11, 2025

Promising therapeutics for chromosome 15 rare neurodevelopmental disorders, including Angelman syndrome, Dup15q syndrome and Prader鈥揥illi syndrome.

Using 'nature鈥檚 mistakes' as a window into Lafora disease
Feature

Using 'nature鈥檚 mistakes' as a window into Lafora disease

July 10, 2025

After years of heartbreak, Lafora disease families are fueling glycogen storage research breakthroughs, helping develop therapies that may treat not only Lafora but other related neurological disorders.

Cracking cancer鈥檚 code through functional connections
News

Cracking cancer鈥檚 code through functional connections

July 2, 2025

A machine learning鈥揹erived protein cofunction network is transforming how scientists understand and uncover relationships between proteins in cancer.

Gaze into the proteomics crystal ball
In-person Conference

Gaze into the proteomics crystal ball

July 1, 2025

The 15th International Symposium on Proteomics in the Life Sciences symposium will be held August 17鈥21 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.