title: Cytosolic lipid droplets increase in size by microtubule-dependent complex formation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP)-containing lipid droplets have an essential role in the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Such droplets form in a cell-free system with a diameter of 0.1 to 0.4 microm, while the droplets present in cells vary in size, from small to very large, suggesting that the droplets can increase in size after being assembled. We have addressed this possibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Experiments in NIH 3T3 cells demonstrated that the lipid droplets could increase in size independently of triglyceride biosynthesis. NIH 3T3 cells were either microinjected with ADRP-GFP (green fluorescent protein) or stained with Nile Red and followed by confocal microscopy and time-lapse recordings. The results showed that lipid droplets formed complexes with each other, with a volume equal to the sum of the merging particles. The formation of complexes could be inhibited by the nocodazole-induced depolymerization of the microtubules; thus, the process is dependent on microtubules. The presence of dynein on ADRP-containing droplets supports a role for this motor protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lipid droplets can grow after they have been assembled. This increase in size is independent of triglyceride biosynthesis and involves formation of complexes, which requires intact microtubules.
authors.affiliation: Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular Research, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Pontus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boström
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rutberg
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ericsson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holmdahl
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Frohman
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borén
authors.forename: Sven-Olof
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Olofsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D015739:Nocodazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D010078:Oxazines; D010316:Particle Size; D000070780:Perilipin-2; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D010078:Oxazines; D000070780:Perilipin-2; C000602983:Plin2 protein, mouse; D014280:Triglycerides; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D019301:Oleic Acid; C044808:nile red; D015739:Nocodazole