Z. W. Lai

FALCON systematically interrogates free fatty acid biology and identifies a novel mediator of lipotoxicity

FALCON systematically analyzes 61 free fatty acids to identify lipotoxic effects and a novel mediator of lipotoxicity, CMIP, in human pancreatic beta cells.

Changes in calpain-2 expression during glioblastoma progression predisposes tumor cells to temozolomide resistance by minimizing DNA damage and p53-dependent apoptosis

This study shows that calpain-2 expression in glioblastoma cells reduces TMZ-induced DNA damage and p53-dependent apoptosis, leading to chemoresistance.

Fitm2 is required for ER homeostasis and normal function of murine liver

This study shows that Fitm2 is essential for ER homeostasis and liver function in mice, with loss of Fitm2 causing ER stress and liver injury.

Identification of two pathways mediating protein targeting from ER to lipid droplets

The paper identifies two distinct pathways for ER-to-LD protein targeting and characterizes the molecular machinery involved.

The Troyer syndrome protein spartin mediates selective autophagy of lipid droplets

This study identifies spartin as a receptor mediating selective autophagy of lipid droplets and links its dysfunction to Troyer syndrome.

Adipose triglyceride lipase promotes prostaglandin-dependent actin remodeling by regulating substrate release from lipid droplets

This study shows that ATGL regulates actin remodeling in Drosophila oogenesis by releasing arachidonic acid from lipid droplets to drive prostaglandin synthesis, essential for follicle development and fertility.

Cryo-electron microscopy structure of the lipid droplet-formation protein seipin

The paper reports the cryo-EM structure of D. melanogaster seipin and proposes a model for its role in lipid droplet formation.