Elusive zebrafish enzyme in lipid secretion
Lipids provide energy and structural components during vertebrate development. Lipoproteins aid in lipid transport throughout the body, and synthesized lipids are also stored in lipid droplets within the cell. Embryos of the model organism zebrafish receive nutrients, including lipids, from a maternally deposited yolk through extraembryonic tissue called the yolk syncytial layer, or YSL. Lipid nutrients are released through the production and secretion of lipoproteins rich in triacylglycerol, or TAG. Scientists want to understand which enzymes direct TAG production to lipoproteins for secretion versus lipid droplets for storage.

In a recent Journal of Biological Chemistry , Meredith Wilson from Johns Hopkins University and U.S. and U.K. colleagues investigated the fate of TAG in zebrafish lacking certain TAG synthesis enzymes. They found that zebrafish lacking diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2, or Dgat2, can still produce TAG, but the TAG is channeled for YSL storage instead of secretion, as noted by the excessive accumulation of lipid droplets in the YSL that make it look opaque.
The authors concluded that zebrafish have multiple enzymes to ensure TAG production remains intact. Future studies will identify the enzyme that fails to properly channel TAG to lipoprotein formation for secretion in embryonic development.
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.
Learn moreGet the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in Science
Science highlights or most popular articles

How scientists identified a new neuromuscular disease
NIH researchers discover Morimoto–Ryu–Malicdan syndrome, after finding shared symptoms and RFC4 gene variants in nine patients, offering hope for faster diagnosis and future treatments.

Unraveling cancer’s spaghetti proteins
MOSAIC scholar Katie Dunleavy investigates how Aurora kinase A shields oncogene c-MYC from degradation, using cutting-edge techniques to uncover new strategies targeting “undruggable” molecules.

How HCMV hijacks host cells — and beyond
Ileana Cristea, an ASBMB Breakthroughs webinar speaker, presented her research on how viruses reprogram cell structure and metabolism to enhance infection and how these mechanisms might link viral infections to cancer and other diseases.

Understanding the lipid link to gene expression in the nucleus
Ray Blind, an ASBMB Breakthroughs speaker, presented his research on how lipids and sugars in the cell nucleus are involved in signaling and gene expression and how these pathways could be targeted to identify therapeutics for diseases like cancer.

Receptor antagonist reduces age-related bone loss in mice
Receptor antagonist reduces bone loss and promotes osteoblast activity in aging mice, highlighting its potential to treat osteoporosis. Read more about this recent JBC paper.

Engineered fusion protein targets kiwifruit pathogen
Synthetic protein selectively kills kiwifruit pathogen, offering a promising biocontrol strategy for agriculture. Read more about this recent JBC paper.