Fat droplets in muscle and their surface proteins as a link between exercise and health impacts
Metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity are increasing phenomena in the modern world, leading to a critical burden on healthcare systems. Being the largest human organ and given its role in physical activity, skeletal muscle is also a key player in the overall energy metabolism and related metabolic diseases. The research conducted by Vasco Fachada suggests that faulty fat processing by inactive muscle cells is associated with the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
“Fat droplets are present in every living cell,” says Vasco Fachada.
“In skeletal muscle they are vital for several cellular processes, including energy storage.
Healthy and active muscle cells clearly differ from unhealthier, less active cells.”
He continues by saying that unhealthier muscle seems to have a likely harmful population of large droplets deep within its cells.
“Moreover, these same enlarged droplets seem to be ‘forgotten’ by a group of protective proteins found in healthier cells. Furthermore, the results suggest that the role of such poorly known proteins goes far beyond the protection of fat droplets,” Fachada adds.
“The improved understanding of the link behind fat droplets, their related proteins and insulin resistance opens several new research opportunities for the scientific community, including potential targets for drug development.”
This research has been funded by ܲԻ岹çã para a Ciência e Tecnologia, the Academy of Finland and the Ellen and Artturi Nyyssönen Foundation.
Vasco 岹’s dissertation Intramyocellular lipid metabolism in health, diet and exercise: a focus on lipid droplets and the perilipin protein family is available in the JYX repository: .
The public examination is taking place on 13 October 2023, at 11:45 in the auditorium L304 in the Liikunta building. The opponent is Docent Heikki Koistinen (University of Helsinki) and the custos is Assistant Professor Juha Hulmi (University of Jyväskylä). The examination is held in English. At the end of the event, the audience may direct questions to the custos, tel. +358 40 805 3728.
Vasco Fachada graduated from high school in 2004. In 2008, he completed bachelor’s degrees in sport science at the University of Évora, Portugal, and the University of Tartu, Estonia. In the same year, he joined the Ģֱ for a master’s degree programme in biology of physical activity, majoring in exercise physiology. His work as a research assistant in the group of Professor Heikki Kainulainen started in the summer of 2009, wherein he continued developing his research on the topic of lipid droplets in skeletal muscle.
More information:
Vasco Fachada
vasco.fachada@gmail.com
