Lipid metabolism in adipocytes modulates tumor growth at a distance through Nplp2-mediated Wnt5 signal

C Chen Yang (Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies) Y Yang Yang Z Zheng Liu X Xinpeng Bai (Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) X Xiaohui Ma (Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) J Jihong Tang (Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) R Rui Huang (School of Chemistry) Y Yuanyuan Liao (Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) Y Yang Liu L Lu Wen (Cancer Center, Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of science and Technology) M Min Liu A Alan Jian Zhu (School of Life Sciences, Peking University) C Cong Yu (State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine, and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses) Y Yusong Guo J Jiguang Wang (Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) X Xiang David Li (Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong) T Toyotaka Ishibashi (Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) Y Yan Yan

Abstract

The host metabolic state can potentially affect the growth trajectories of tumors growing at local sites, which are highly variable and unpredictable among populations. The molecular links between systemic metabolism and tumor growth outcomes remain largely unclear. Here, we harnessed the genetic power of the Drosophila model to perform genetic screens and identified molecular players in the adipose tissue that can change the growth trajectory of remotely growing tumors. We found that variation of triacylglycerol (TAG) metabolism state in adipocytes, which is downstream of insulin signaling regulation, can strongly change the growth trajectory of distant tumors. Mechanistically, we identified that Wnt5, which is secreted from adipocytes and transported in circulation through a population of Nplp2-lipoprotein particles, is required for distant tumor growth. Perturbation of TAG metabolism or depletion of Nplp2-lipoprotein particle formation in adipocytes reduces Wnt5 in circulation and therefore restricts distant tumor growth.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 18
Published May 05, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (18)

C

Chen Yang

Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies

Y

Yang Yang

Z

Zheng Liu

X

Xinpeng Bai

Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

X

Xiaohui Ma

Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

J

Jihong Tang

Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

R

Rui Huang

School of Chemistry

Y

Yuanyuan Liao

Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Y

Yang Liu

L

Lu Wen

Cancer Center, Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of science and Technology

M

Min Liu

A

Alan Jian Zhu

School of Life Sciences, Peking University

C

Cong Yu

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine, and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses

Y

Yusong Guo

J

Jiguang Wang

Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

X

Xiang David Li

Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong

T

Toyotaka Ishibashi

Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Y

Yan Yan