Title: Targeting Unsaturated Lipid Metabolism to Inhibit Tumor Metastasis (CRISPR Functional Screening Strategy)

Time: 9:00 - 10:30 on Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Venue: Smart Classroom 404, Zhizhen Building, Ningbo University Health Science Center

Personal Introduction: Wang Yuqi

Wang Yuqi is a Pioneering Scholar and Assistant Researcher at the West Lake Laboratory in Zhejiang Province. His research focuses on constructing various in vivo metastasis models and integrating molecular biology and systems biology research methods to explore the metabolic dependence during the process of tumor metastasis. He has published several high-level papers, such as in Cell, as the first author.

In his recent research work, an efficient mouse model of multi-path and multi-organ metastasis of ES-2-MC2-Hep ovarian cancer was established through two rounds of in vivo iterative screening. Combined with in vivo CRISPR functional screening, it was revealed that the polyunsaturated lipid (PUFA-lipids) biosynthesis enzyme ACSL4 is a key factor promoting the hematogenous metastasis of tumor cells. ACSL4 promotes the extravasation process of tumor cells during in vivo metastasis by enhancing membrane fluidity and cell migration ability. However, while promoting metastasis, the highly unsaturated lipid state also makes the growth of metastatic tumor cells more dependent on the β-oxidation process of unsaturated fatty acids mediated by ECI1 and ECH1. Further research found that the combined inhibition of ACSL4 and ECH1 can significantly inhibit the in vivo metastasis of tumor cells. This study reveals the dual role of polyunsaturated lipids in the process of tumor progression and metastasis, providing a new theoretical basis and targeted strategy for the treatment of clinical tumor metastasis.