A single centrifugation method for isolating fat droplets from cells and tissues.
Fat droplets (FDs) have important roles in cellular energy regulation. Isolating FDs from either cells or tissue continues to be important for studying these organelles. Here, we describe a procedure wherein whole homogenates of cultured cells or tissue are fractionated with a single centrifugation step in a standard microcentrifuge. This procedure reproducibly yields three fractions highly enriched in either FDs, soluble cellular components, or sedimentable organelles/membranes.
Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Lydia-Ann L S
LLS
Harris
Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Trevor M
TM
Shew
Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
James R
JR
Skinner
Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Electronic address: nwolins@wustl.edu.
Nathan E
NE
Wolins
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002469:Cell Separation; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000379:methods*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D008055:Lipids / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D012995:Solubility
D008055:Lipids