Worms, Fat, and Death: Caenorhabditis elegans Lipid Metabolites Regulate Cell Death

Caenorhabditis elegans is well-known as the model organism used to elucidate the genetic pathways underlying the first described form of regulated cell death, apoptosis. Since then, C. elegans investigations have contributed to the further understanding of lipids in apoptosis, especially the roles of phosphatidylserines and phosphatidylinositols. More recently, studies in C. elegans have shown that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids can induce the non-apoptotic, iron-dependent form of cell death, ferroptosis. In this review, we examine the roles of various lipids in specific aspects of regulated cell death, emphasizing recent work in C. elegans.

Automated summary

Caenorhabditis elegans is a key organism for studying genetic pathways underlying regulated cell death, particularly apoptosis. Research in C. elegans has also shown the roles of lipids in apoptosis and the induction of ferroptosis. This review highlights recent work in C. elegans regarding the roles of various lipids in regulated cell death.