Research Article

Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Volume: 11 Number: 2 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with progression and metastasis closely tied to metabolic adaptations, including lipid storage and utilization. Boron derivatives have been shown to influence lipid metabolism in animals and humans. Oral boric acid, for example, reduces body weight in mice by inducing thermogenic proteins in adipose and skeletal muscle, promoting lipolysis. In this study, the anticancer potential of zinc borate (ZnB) in CRC cell lines SW480 (primary) and SW620 (metastatic) by modulating lipid storage investigated. ZnB reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with SW620 cells showing greater resistance. Fluorescence imaging indicated decreased lipid droplet (LD)- containing cells, consistent with possible lipophagy involvement. Colony formation and wound healing assays revealed impaired proliferation and migration, further diminished by the autophagy inducer AZD-8055. Under glutamine-deprived conditions-known to enhance lipid storage and aggressiveness-combined ZnB and AZD-8055 treatment markedly reduced LD content, proliferation and motility. These results suggest that ZnB disrupts lipid homeostasis involved in CRC cell survival. Our findings highlight the potential therapeutic value of co-targeting lipid metabolism and autophagy to combat metabolically adaptive and aggressive CRC.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

1919B012419083

Ethical Statement

This study exclusively utilized established human colorectal cancer cell lines (SW480 and SW620). No experiments involving human participants or animals were conducted. All procedures were performed according to institutional guidelines for cell culture and biosafety.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cancer Biology, Cancer Cell Biology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

August 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 31, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Küçükparmaksız, S., Özdemir, I., & Güleç Taşkiran, A. E. (2026). Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Journal of Boron, 11(2), 59-69. https://doi.org/10.30728/boron.1766217
AMA
1.Küçükparmaksız S, Özdemir I, Güleç Taşkiran AE. Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Journal of Boron. 2026;11(2):59-69. doi:10.30728/boron.1766217
Chicago
Küçükparmaksız, Selin, Işıl Özdemir, and Aliye Ezgi Güleç Taşkiran. 2026. “Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival With MTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells”. Journal of Boron 11 (2): 59-69. https://doi.org/10.30728/boron.1766217.
EndNote
Küçükparmaksız S, Özdemir I, Güleç Taşkiran AE (June 1, 2026) Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Journal of Boron 11 2 59–69.
IEEE
[1]S. Küçükparmaksız, I. Özdemir, and A. E. Güleç Taşkiran, “Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells”, Journal of Boron, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 59–69, June 2026, doi: 10.30728/boron.1766217.
ISNAD
Küçükparmaksız, Selin - Özdemir, Işıl - Güleç Taşkiran, Aliye Ezgi. “Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival With MTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells”. Journal of Boron 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 59-69. https://doi.org/10.30728/boron.1766217.
JAMA
1.Küçükparmaksız S, Özdemir I, Güleç Taşkiran AE. Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Journal of Boron. 2026;11:59–69.
MLA
Küçükparmaksız, Selin, et al. “Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival With MTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells”. Journal of Boron, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 59-69, doi:10.30728/boron.1766217.
Vancouver
1.Selin Küçükparmaksız, Işıl Özdemir, Aliye Ezgi Güleç Taşkiran. Zinc Borate–Mediated Reduction of Lipid Droplets and Cooperative Suppression of Clonogenic Survival with mTOR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Journal of Boron. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):59-6. doi:10.30728/boron.1766217