INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF LIPID DROPLETS IN MEDULLOBLASTOMA TUMOURS

Abstract

Abstract AIMS Medulloblastomas (MBs) are the most common paediatric brain tumour which originates in the cerebellum. It is classified into four subgroups named: sonic hedgehog, wingless, Group 3 and Group 4. Current treatment for MBs includes surgery, followed by high levels of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This treatment regime is highly aggressive for the developing brain and produces several significant side effects. Therefore, research into new treatments or improving those already available is crucial to improving patients of life. METHOD It is well-documented that cancer cells have the ability to reprogram their metabolism to support rapid proliferation. These metabolic adaptations will provide the cells with the ability to use alternative sources of energy such as glutamine or lipids. Lipid Droplets (LDs) are highly dynamic cytoplasmic organelles that, under homeostatic conditions, are key in the storage of excess lipids within the cell to provide a buffer against lipotoxicity. Recent research has also begun to describe LDs as more than simple storage molecules but instead as function- ally active organelles. Increases in LD formation have been reported in several cancers such as Glioblastoma RESULTS In this study, we observed that aggressive MB cells have significantly more LDs when compared to non- aggressive MB cells. Further, oleic acid stimulation induced LD formation in MB cells. Finally, in silico gene expression analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of multiple components of the de novo lipid synthesis pathway in medulloblastoma. CONCLUSIONS Our work demonstrates that aggressive MB cells overexpress LDs and therefore identifies them as a possible novel target for MB treatment.