Runx1 Role in Epithelial and Cancer Cell Proliferation Implicates Lipid Metabolism and SCD1 and SOAT1 Activity

The study explored the transcription factor Runx1's role in lipid metabolism and its effects on epithelial stem cell function and cancer cell proliferation. It was found that Runx1 regulates the expression of lipid metabolism genes, including Scd1 and Soat1, which are crucial for monounsaturated fatty acid production and cholesterol esterification, respectively. These enzymes were shown to be essential for the proliferation of both normal and cancerous epithelial cells. The study involved various experiments, including those with 2 to 3 mice per genotype and lipidome analysis with 3 control and 5 Runx1 knockout mice. Changes in Runx1 levels were found to alter skin fatty acid composition and membrane fluidity, impacting Wnt signaling, which is important for cell proliferation and hair follicle stem cell activation. The findings suggest that Runx1's modulation of fatty acid production is a key factor in the rapid proliferation of epithelial cells, with potential implications for cancer treatment and hair growth disorders.