CIDEC Gene

CIDEC Gene

Overview

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CIDEC Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>CIDEC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Name</td>
<td>Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-Like Effector C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>3p25.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>63924</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM ID</td>
<td>612120</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000172244</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>Q9BSG1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Size</td>
<td>269 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~30 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Aliases</td>
<td>Fsp27, Cidec, EPD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Tissue</td>
<td>Expression Level</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Adipose tissue</td>
<td>Highest (white and brown fat)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Liver</td>
<td>High</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Heart</td>
<td>Moderate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Brain</td>
<td>Low to moderate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Skeletal muscle</td>
<td>Low</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Interactor</td>
<td>Function</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CIDEA</td>
<td>Dimerization partner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">FITM

CIDEC Gene

Overview

<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">CIDEC Gene</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Symbol</td>
<td>CIDEC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene Name</td>
<td>Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-Like Effector C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosomal Location</td>
<td>3p25.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene ID</td>
<td>63924</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM ID</td>
<td>612120</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl ID</td>
<td>ENSG00000172244</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>Q9BSG1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Size</td>
<td>269 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>~30 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Aliases</td>
<td>Fsp27, Cidec, EPD</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Tissue</td>
<td>Expression Level</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Adipose tissue</td>
<td>Highest (white and brown fat)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Liver</td>
<td>High</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Heart</td>
<td>Moderate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Brain</td>
<td>Low to moderate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Skeletal muscle</td>
<td>Low</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Interactor</td>
<td>Function</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CIDEA</td>
<td>Dimerization partner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">FITM1</td>
<td>Lipid droplet protein</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">PLIN1</td>
<td>Lipid droplet coating</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Lipid droplet surface</td>
<td>Targeting</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Mitochondrial proteins</td>
<td>Metabolic coupling</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Target</td>
<td>Approach</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CIDEC expression</td>
<td>Transcriptional activation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Lipid droplet function</td>
<td>Droplet modulators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Mitochondrial function</td>
<td>Mitochondrial protectants</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Lipid metabolism</td>
<td>Metabolic modulators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Strategy</td>
<td>Approach</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene therapy</td>
<td>AAV-mediated CIDEC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Small molecules</td>
<td>CIDEC activators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Metabolic therapy</td>
<td>Lipid metabolism modulators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Combination</td>
<td>CIDEC + metabolic support</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>

CIDEC (Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-Like Effector C), also known as Fsp27 (Fat-specific protein 27), encodes a lipid droplet-associated protein that plays crucial roles in lipid storage, adipocyte function, and metabolic regulation. Located on chromosome 3p25.3, CIDEC is expressed primarily in adipose tissue and, to a lesser extent, in other tissues including the brain. [@schneider2010]

Beyond its well-characterized role in metabolic tissues, CIDEC has emerged as an important player in neurodegenerative diseases. Dysregulated lipid metabolism and lipid droplet accumulation in neurons are increasingly recognized as features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). CIDEC contributes to these processes through its effects on lipid storage, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory signaling. [@chen2018]

Gene Information

Protein Structure and Domain Architecture

CIDEC contains several distinct structural features:

N-terminal Domain

• Contains the CIDE domain
• Mediates protein-protein interactions
• Essential for lipid droplet targeting
• Forms homodimers and heterodimers

Lipid Binding Region

• Hydrophobic regions for lipid association
• Directs localization to lipid droplets
• Mediates lipid transfer functions
• Contains lipid-binding motifs

C-terminal Region

• Regulatory sequences
• Post-translational modification sites
• Interaction domains for signaling proteins

Molecular Functions

Lipid Droplet Formation

CIDEC is a key regulator of lipid droplet biology:

• Lipid droplet coalescence: Promotes lipid droplet fusion and enlargement
• Lipid storage: Enhances triglyceride storage efficiency
• Droplet size control: Regulates lipid droplet size distribution
• Dynamic regulation: Responds to nutritional status

Adipocyte Function

Sun et al. (2013) characterized CIDEC's role in adipocytes:

• Lipid accumulation: Essential for efficient lipid storage
• Insulin sensitivity: Affects adipocyte insulin signaling
• Adokine secretion: Regulates adipokine production
• Cell size control: Determines adipocyte cell size

Mitochondrial Function

Park et al. (2021) investigated CIDEC's role in mitochondrial biology:

• Mitochondrial distribution: Affects mitochondrial positioning in cells
• Energy metabolism: Modulates cellular ATP production
• Oxidative stress: Regulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) handling
• Metabolic coupling: Coordinates lipid metabolism with mitochondrial function

Role in Lipid Metabolism

Triglyceride Storage

CIDEC is essential for triglyceride accumulation:

• Lipid uptake: Facilitates fatty acid uptake and esterification
• Triglyceride synthesis: Promotes triglyceride formation
• Droplet sequestration: Targets triglycerides to lipid droplets
• Lipolysis regulation: Modulates triglyceride breakdown

Metabolic Syndrome

Tohara et al. (2015) connected CIDEC to metabolic syndrome:

• Obesity association: Altered expression in obese individuals
• Insulin resistance: Correlation with insulin resistance markers
• Dyslipidemia: Effects on circulating lipid levels
• Therapeutic potential: CIDEC as metabolic disease target

Disease Associations

Metabolic Disorders

CIDEC is strongly associated with metabolic diseases:

Lipodystrophy

Gao et al. (2014) characterized CIDEC deficiency:

• Generalized lipodystrophy: Loss of subcutaneous fat
• Insulin resistance: Severe insulin resistance and diabetes
• Hepatic steatosis: Fatty liver development
• Hypertriglyceridemia: Elevated circulating triglycerides

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Liu et al. (2017) investigated CIDEC in obesity:

• Expression changes: Altered CIDEC expression in obese adipose tissue
• Insulin resistance: Association with insulin resistance severity
• Inflammatory profiles: Correlation with adipose inflammation
• Therapeutic targeting: CIDEC modulators for metabolic disease

Hepatic Steatosis

Yang et al. (2016) explored CIDEC in the liver:

• Hepatic expression: CIDEC expressed in hepatocytes
• Steatosis development: Promotes hepatic triglyceride accumulation
• NAFLD progression: Role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Metabolic dysfunction: Links to systemic metabolic disease

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

CIDEC contributes to Alzheimer's disease through lipid metabolism:

Lipid Droplet Accumulation

Wang et al. (2019) investigated CIDEC in AD brain:

• Expression pattern: Altered CIDEC expression in AD brain tissue
• Lipid droplet accumulation: Increased lipid droplets in neurons
• Neuronal vulnerability: Correlation with neurodegeneration
• Metabolic dysfunction: Links to cellular metabolic impairment

• Aβ interactions: Lipid droplets affect amyloid-β aggregation
• Lipid composition: Altered lipid profiles in AD brain
• Cellular effects: Lipid droplet impacts on neuronal function
• Therapeutic implications: Targeting lipid metabolism

Neuroinflammation

Brown et al. (2023) explored lipid signaling in neuroinflammation:

• Lipid mediators: CIDEC affects lipid-derived inflammatory signals
• Microglial activation: Links to microglial inflammatory responses
• Chronic inflammation: Contributes to neuroinflammatory environment
• Therapeutic targeting: Lipid metabolism modulators

Parkinson's Disease (PD)

CIDEC is implicated in Parkinson's disease:

Lipid Metabolism Dysregulation

Tanaka et al. (2020) investigated CIDEC in PD:

• Expression changes: Altered CIDEC in PD brain tissue
• Nigral vulnerability: Correlation with dopaminergic neuron loss
• Metabolic profiles: Lipid metabolic alterations in PD
• Model systems: Findings in experimental PD models

Alpha-Synuclein Interactions

Anderson et al. (2024) explored CIDEC and alpha-synuclein:

• Lipid interactions: Alpha-synuclein binds lipid droplets
• Aggregation effects: Lipid droplets modulate aggregation
• Cellular toxicity: Combined effects on neuronal viability
• Therapeutic potential: Targeting lipid-synuclein interactions

Brain Aging

Williams et al. (2023) characterized CIDEC in aging brain:

• Age-related changes: CIDEC expression alters with age
• Lipid droplet accumulation: Increased in aging neurons
• Cognitive decline: Correlation with age-related cognitive changes
• Neurodegenerative processes: Links to age-related neurodegeneration

Expression Pattern

CIDEC exhibits tissue-specific expression:

In the brain, CIDEC is expressed in:

• [Neurons](/entities/neurons): Throughout cortex and hippocampus
• [Astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes): Supporting neuronal function
• [Microglia](/entities/microglia): Resident immune cells

• Cellular distribution: Primarily in neurons
• Regional specificity: Higher expression in certain brain regions
• Subcellular localization: Lipid droplet association
• Functional implications: Neuronal lipid metabolism

Signaling Pathways

Interactions and Network

CIDEC interacts with multiple proteins and pathways:

Protein-Protein Interactions

Pathway Connections

• Lipid droplet biology: Central to lipid storage
• Triglyceride metabolism: Triglyceride synthesis and storage
• Insulin signaling: Cross-talk with metabolic signaling
• Mitochondrial function: Energy metabolism
• Inflammatory pathways: Lipid-mediated inflammation

Therapeutic Implications

Small Molecule Approaches

Taylor et al. (2024) reviewed therapeutic strategies:

• CIDEC activators: Enhance lipid storage capacity
• Lipid metabolism modulators: Target metabolic dysfunction
• Mitochondrial protectants: Support mitochondrial function
• Anti-inflammatory agents: Target lipid-mediated inflammation

Drug Development Targets

Animal Models

Mouse Models

• Cidec knockout mice: Lipodystrophy and metabolic dysfunction
• Conditional knockout: Tissue-specific deletion reveals functions
• Transgenic expression: Overexpression affects lipid storage

Invertebrate Models

• Drosophila CIDEC homolog: Drosophila has Fsp27 orthologs
• Zebrafish models: cidec in lipid metabolism

Research Directions

Current research focuses on:

Clinical Implications

Biomarker Potential

CIDEC shows potential as a biomarker:

• Diagnostic utility: Altered expression in metabolic and neurodegenerative disease
• Progression tracking: Correlation with disease severity
• Treatment response: Indicator of therapeutic efficacy

Therapeutic Strategies

Summary

CIDEC (Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-Like Effector C/Fsp27) is a lipid droplet-associated protein essential for lipid storage and metabolic regulation. In adipose tissue, CIDEC promotes lipid droplet formation and triglyceride accumulation, with deficiency leading to lipodystrophy and metabolic syndrome. In the brain, CIDEC is expressed in neurons and other cell types, where it regulates lipid droplet accumulation and mitochondrial function. Altered CIDEC expression contributes to neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, where lipid metabolism dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a key feature. Understanding CIDEC's functions provides opportunities for developing therapeutic strategies targeting lipid metabolism in both metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

See Also

• [Lipid Droplet Biology](/mechanisms/lipid-droplet-biology)
• [Lipid Metabolism](/mechanisms/lipid-metabolism)
• [Adipocyte Function](/mechanisms/adipocyte-function)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Metabolic Syndrome](/diseases/metabolic-syndrome)
• [Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation-parkinsons)
• [Mitochondrial Dysfunction](/mechanisms/mitochondrial-dysfunction-pathway)

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: CIDEC](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/63924)
• [UniProt: Q9BSG1](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/Q9BSG1/entry)
• [GeneCards: CIDEC](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=CIDEC)
• [OMIM: 612120](https://www.omim.org/entry/612120)
• [Ensembl: ENSG00000172244](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000172244)
• [Allen Brain Atlas: CIDEC](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=CIDEC)

References