Not Just Fat: The Structure and Function of the Lipid Droplet
- 1Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- 2The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence: tfujimot{at}med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are independent organelles that are composed of a lipid ester core and a surface phospholipid monolayer. Recent studies have revealed many new proteins, functions, and phenomena associated with LDs. In addition, a number of diseases related to LDs are beginning to be understood at the molecular level. It is now clear that LDs are not an inert store of excess lipids but are dynamically engaged in various cellular functions, some of which are not directly related to lipid metabolism. Compared to conventional membrane organelles, there are still many uncertainties concerning the molecular architecture of LDs and how each function is placed in a structural context. Recent findings and remaining questions are discussed.
- Copyright © 2011 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved
