PRELID1 is a gene encoding a protein involved in mitochondrial lipid transport. It belongs to the Ups1/PRELID1 family of lipid transfer proteins, which shuttle phosphatidic acid (PA) across the mitochondrial intermembrane space for conversion to cardiolipin (CL), a crucial phospholipid in mitochondria [3]. This process is essential for maintaining mitochondrial structure and function, and is also associated with unfolded protein response (UPR) and mTORC1 signaling [3].

In cancer research, alternative polyadenylation of PRELID1 mRNA has been shown to enhance its steady-state level and translational efficiency, and is a strong breast-cancer-subtype-dependent predictor of patient clinical outcomes. PRELID1 also regulates stress response and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a cell-type-specific manner, suggesting that its expression regulation is a common stress response in different cancer types [2]. In the context of ER stress, PERK signaling promotes the degradation of PRELID1, leading to the accumulation of PA on the outer mitochondrial membrane, which in turn induces mitochondrial elongation [1].

In conclusion, PRELID1 plays a vital role in mitochondrial lipid metabolism, stress response, and cancer-related processes. Studies on PRELID1, including those potentially using gene-knockout models, contribute to understanding the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial function and cancer development, providing insights for potential therapeutic targets.