Lipid Transporter Stard7 Identified as Critical Dual Regulator in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis and Mitochondrial Metabolism

University of Liège researchers find that the Stard7 protein can either stop or speed up colon cancer depending on a tumor's specific genetic mutations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 6:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of Liège

The Redefinition of Stard7 in Intestinal Oncology

A pioneering study from the GIGA Medical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Liège has uncovered an unexpected role for the protein Stard7 in the progression of colorectal cancer. Long classified as a relatively minor lipid transporter responsible for moving fats to the mitochondria, Stard7 has now been identified as a central architect of mitochondrial metabolism and tumor dynamics. By developing highly specific mouse models where the Stard7 gene was deactivated solely within the intestinal lining, researchers were able to observe the direct physiological impact of its absence. This targeted approach revealed that when Stard7 is missing, intestinal cells face a multifaceted metabolic crisis that reshapes their cellular environment and predisposes them to malignant transformation.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and the Surge of Cellular Stress

The deficiency of Stard7 triggers a cascade of metabolic failures that compromise the efficiency of mitochondria, often described as the cell's power stations. According to Alain Chariot, a lead researcher on the project, cells lacking this protein struggle to produce energy and simultaneously generate a surplus of toxic free radicals. these unstable molecules are capable of inflicting significant damage on cellular DNA, further destabilizing the tissue. In response to this internal stress, the cells undergo a radical reorganization, activating emergency growth programs. One such pathway, driven by the regulator mTORC1, forces rapid cell multiplication, while another, steered by the switch ATF4, re-programs the cells to produce serine, an amino acid that functions as a primary fuel source for aggressive cancer cells.

The Genetic Duality of Tumor Acceleration and Inhibition

The most significant finding of the University of Liège team is the dual nature of Stard7, which acts as either a "brake" or an "accelerator" for cancer depending on the underlying cause of the disease. In cases where cancer is driven by chronic intestinal inflammation, similar to inflammatory bowel disease, the absence of Stard7 actually reduced tumor development, suggesting the protein normally acts as a catalyst in that context. However, in models representing the most common form of human colon cancer, triggered by mutations in the APC gene, the lack of Stard7 removed a natural defense mecha...