The life of lipid droplets.
Lipid droplets are the least characterized of cellular organelles. Long considered simple lipid storage depots, these dynamic and remarkable organelles have recently been implicated in many biological processes, and we are only now beginning to gain insights into their fascinating lives in cells. Here we examine what we know of the life of lipid droplets. We review emerging data concerning their cellular biology and present our thoughts on some of the most salient questions for investigation.
Walther
Tobias C
TC
Organelle Architecture and Dynamics, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany. twalther@biochem.mpg.de
Farese
Robert V
RV
D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D053141:Organelle Size; D015388:Organelles / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D021381:Protein Transport
D000217:Acyltransferases