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Various symbols and photos from research depicted in a cloud against a black background. © UA Ruhr
Research Center One Health Ruhr

What cholesterol might have to do with cancer and Parkinson’s disease

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© Dominic Winter
How do cells distribute cholesterol, and what role does this play in cell metabolism and growth? Prof. Dr Dominic Winter from the Research Centre One Health Ruhr and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen is investigating these questions in his new research project. The non-profit foundation Boehringer Ingelheim is supporting the project with 533,000 euros over three years through its ‘Rise up!’ programme. In the long term, Professor Winter's findings could provide new avenues for more effective treatments, for example for atherosclerosis, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Cholesterol is essential for the body. Among other things, it is a component of cell membranes and serves as a building block for various molecules. Lysosomes play a key role in ensuring that it is available in the right place within the cell. These cell organelles break down substances and make their components available again.

Prof. Dr Dominic Winter and his research group aim to gain a more detailed understanding of how lysosomes control the distribution of cholesterol. He has been conducting research into the dynamic regulation of lysosomes for some time as part of a Heisenberg Professorship funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Together with his research group, he is investigating, amongst other things, how the cell detects cholesterol levels and responds to them. Initial investigations suggest a link with the so-called mTOR signalling pathway. This pathway controls key processes of cellular metabolism and cell growth. The scientists aim to unravel the molecular mechanisms underpinning this link.

A new look into cellular regulation

To this end, they are investigating, amongst other things, how certain signals on the surface of lysosomes are influenced by cholesterol. Using mass spectrometry analyses, they are mapping the molecular processes involved. The results should help to better understand how the availability of cholesterol influences signal transduction, metabolism and the position of lysosomes within the cell.

Image above:
This fluorescence microscope image shows lysosomes (green) positioning themselves within the cells depending on the amount of cholesterol present. The image illustrates that, when cholesterol levels are low, lysosomes concentrate near the cell nucleus (blue), a process regulated by cellular signalling. Prof. Winter will investigate this further as part of the research project.

More information:
Prof. Dr. Dominic Winter
Research Center One Health Ruhr and Faculty of Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE)