Antioxidant role for lipid droplets in a stem cell niche of Drosophila
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Andrew Bailey Grielof Koster Christelle Guillermier Elizabeth MA Hirst James Macrae Claude P Lechene Anthony D Postle Alex GouldAbstract
Stem cells reside in specialized microenvironments known as niches. During Drosophila development, glial cells provide a niche that sustains the proliferation of neural stem cells (neuroblasts) during starvation. We now find that the glial cell niche also preserves neuroblast proliferation under conditions of hypoxia and oxidative stress. Lipid droplets that form in niche glia during oxidative stress limit the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibit the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These droplets protect glia and also neuroblasts from peroxidation chain reactions that can damage many types of macromolecules. The underlying antioxidant mechanism involves diverting PUFAs, including diet-derived linoleic acid, away from membranes to the core of lipid droplets, where they are less vulnerable to peroxidation. This study reveals an antioxidant role for lipid droplets that could be relevant in many different biological contexts.
Journal details
Journal Cell
Volume 163
Issue number 2
Pages 340-353
Available online
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Publisher website (DOI) 10.1016/j.cell.2015.09.020
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Europe PubMed Central 26451484
Pubmed 26451484
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