Perilipins (PLINs) are the most abundant proteins in lipid droplets (LD). These LD-associated proteins are responsible for upgrading LD from inert lipid storage structures to fully functional organelles, fundamentally integrated in the lipid metabolism. There are five distinct perilipins (PLIN1–5), each with specific expression patterns and metabolic activation, but all capable of regulating the activity of lipases on LD. This plurality creates a complex orchestrated mechanism that is directly related to the healthy balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis. Given the essential role of PLINs in the modulation of the lipid metabolism, these proteins can become interesting targets for the treatment of lipid-associated diseases. Since reprogrammed lipid metabolism is a recognized cancer hallmark, and obesity is a known risk factor for cancer and other comorbidities, the modulation of PLINs could either improve existing treatments or create new opportunities for the treatment of these diseases. Even though PLINs have not been, so far, directly considered for pharmacological interventions, there are many established drugs that can modulate PLINs activity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the involvement of PLINs in diseases related to lipid metabolism dysregulation and whether PLINs can be viewed as potential therapeutic targets for cancer and obesity.
围脂滴蛋白（PLINs）是脂滴中最丰富的蛋白质。这些脂滴相关蛋白能够使脂滴从惰性的脂质储存结构转变为功能完整的细胞器，从根本上整合于脂质代谢过程。目前已知五种不同的围脂滴蛋白（PLIN1-5），各自具有特异的表达模式和代谢激活机制，但均能调控脂滴上脂肪酶的活性。这种多样性形成了复杂的协同调控机制，直接关系到脂质合成与分解的健康平衡。鉴于围脂滴蛋白在调节脂质代谢中的核心作用，这些蛋白可能成为治疗脂质相关疾病的重要靶点。由于重编程的脂质代谢是公认的癌症特征，且肥胖是癌症及其他合并症的已知风险因素，调控围脂滴蛋白既可能改善现有治疗方案，也能为这类疾病的治疗创造新机遇。尽管目前围脂滴蛋白尚未被直接纳入药物干预范畴，但已有多种成熟药物能够调节其活性。因此，本研究旨在评估围脂滴蛋白在脂质代谢失调相关疾病中的作用，并探讨其能否作为癌症和肥胖的潜在治疗靶点。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家