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Fig. 5 | Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

Fig. 5

From: SCD1, autophagy and cancer: implications for therapy

Fig. 5

Role of SCD1 in MUFA synthesis and their contribution to lipid balance through autophagy regulation. SCD1 is an endoplasmic reticulum-bound enzyme that catalyzes the introduction of a double bond in the cis-9 position of saturated fatty acids (SFA), promoting the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a decreased SFA/MUFA ratio. The activity of SCD1 induces three main effects on lipid homeostasis of the cell, illustrated in the figure. A MUFA are more efficiently incorporated in lipid droplets compared to SFA; B MUFA are the substrates for the synthesis of various kinds of lipids, including phospholipids, diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, and cholesteryl esters, basic components of biological membranes as well as cellular energy source and signalling molecules. C MUFA promote lipid bilayer fluidity and curvatures, facilitating the autophagosome formation on the ER and the activation of autophagy. In turn, in addition to removing damaged components, autophagy eliminates excess saturated fatty acids. These mechanisms counteract the cellular lipotoxicity and could be particularly important for the survival of cancer cells, especially Cancer Initiating Cells, which are characterized both by increased autophagy and the upregulation of SCD1

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