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Lipid droplets

We study

Our focus is to understand the role of intracellular lipid droplets and how alterations in these may lead to various lipid-mediated diseases.

About the group

Many of the common life-threatening diseases in the Norwegian population, such as insulin resistance, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and cardiovascular disease, are linked to disturbances in lipid metabolism and lipid accumulation. A central component in these various pathogenic conditions is marked changes in the number and/or size of lipid droplets accumulated in various tissues. The contribution of disturbances in lipid droplet metabolism to alterations in lipid storage and disease development is currently poorly investigated. The lipid droplet group focuses on understanding the molecular regulation of lipid droplet formation and degradation. Our primary interests are to:

  • Map transcriptional factors regulating expression of key proteins important for lipid droplet synthesis and degradation
  • Understand the biological role of proteins bound to the lipid droplet surface using genetically modified mouse models
  • Identify components interacting at the lipid droplet surface and explore the use of such interactions as potential new targets to treat lipid mediated diseases.

Ongoing Projects

  • Determine the role of the second perilipin protein - Plin2 in metabolic organs.
  • Determine the role of the forth perilipin protein - S3-12 / Plin4.
  • Map the contribution of various Plin proteins for hepatic lipid droplet formation during fasting.
  • Perilipin proteins and atherosclerosis.
  • NutriFrail - diet interventions to prevent aging and frailty.

Past projects:

  • Functionally characterize the fifth perilipin protein (LSDP5 / Plin5).
  • Identify transcription factors regulating the expression of perilipins in various organs (PPARs).
  • Exploring the health effects of salmon fishmeal - testing of biological effects and toxicity in mice.

Funding Sources

  • Medical Faculty at University of Oslo.
  • The South-Eastern Health Authorities.
  • Direktør Throne Holsts fond for ernæringsforskning.
  • Henning and Johan Throne-Holst Foundation.
  • Aktieselskabet Freia Chocolade Fabrik’s Medical Foundation.
  • Anders Jahre’s Foundation.
Published Dec. 6, 2013 3:12 PM - Last modified Jan. 16, 2024 9:38 AM

Contact

Dept. of Nutrition
Domus Medica
Gaustad
Sognsvannsveien 9
0372 Oslo
 

Group leader

Participants

Detailed list of participants