Lipid Research Division

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  • 1.  Triacylglycerol content changes in cell models, what does it mean?

    Posted Jul 28, 2024 10:30 PM

    Hello colleagues,

    I routinely analyze the lipidome of various cell lines of any interest, focusing on each cell biological question. In many knock-out or any genetic changes, triacylglycerol (TG) content often shows the strongest fluctuation unless it is to study lipid-related enzymes. Then, analysis-paralysis happens. Changes in TG content could mean many things in cell biology. Instead of initiating a series of speculations, I would like to find a lead to the next questions. 

    I wonder if one could suggest what it means to see the change of TG content in a cell?



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    Yeongho Kim
    Associate Research Scientist
    Yale University
    New Haven CT
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  • 2.  RE: Triacylglycerol content changes in cell models, what does it mean?

    Posted Aug 17, 2024 02:10 PM

    This can be challenging and will differ depending on the conditions / cell type. I find it helpful to think about where the lipids might be coming from that are being stored as TAG and to think about the consequences of disrupting TAG synthesis. Sometimes useful to block TAG synthesis with inhibitors of DGAT1/2, seeing the consequences (e.g., flux into phospholipids? accumulation as free fatty acids or acyl carnitines? viability? etc) can sometimes give some clues. 



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    James Olzmann
    Professor
    University of California, Berkeley
    Berkeley CA
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  • 3.  RE: Triacylglycerol content changes in cell models, what does it mean?

    Posted 26 days ago

    Thank you Dr. Olzmann. I would definitely try to find some other signs such as fatty acids and acyl carnitines. Because I see this a few times in multiple projects and independent cells, I simply wonder if TAG content can be an indirect marker for general energy expenditure. 



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    Yeongho Kim
    Associate Research Scientist
    Yale University
    New Haven CT
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