Arrese Estela L, Saudale Fredy Z, Soulages Jose L
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Oklahoma State University; Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
Lipid Insights. 2014;7:7-16. doi: 10.4137/LPI.S11128.
The main cells of the adipose tissue of animals, adipocytes, are characterized by the presence of large cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs), which store triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol. However, most cells have LDs and the ability to store lipids. LDs have a well-known central role in storage and provision of fatty acids and cholesterol. However, the complexity of the regulation of lipid metabolism on the surface of the LDs is still a matter of intense study. Beyond this role, a number of recent studies have suggested that LDs have major functions in other cellular processes, such as protein storage and degradation, and infection and immunity. Thus, our perception of LDs, from simple globules of fat to highly dynamic organelles of unexpected complexity, has been radically transformed. Here we compiled some recent evidence supporting the emerging view that LDs act as platforms connecting a number of relevant metabolic and cellular functions.
动物脂肪组织的主要细胞——脂肪细胞,其特征是存在大量储存甘油三酯(TG)和胆固醇的胞质脂质滴(LDs)。然而,大多数细胞都有脂质滴且具备储存脂质的能力。脂质滴在脂肪酸和胆固醇的储存及供应方面有着众所周知的核心作用。然而,脂质滴表面脂质代谢调控的复杂性仍是深入研究的课题。除了这一作用外,最近的一些研究表明,脂质滴在其他细胞过程中具有重要功能,如蛋白质储存与降解、感染与免疫。因此,我们对脂质滴的认识已从简单的脂肪球彻底转变为具有意想不到复杂性的高度动态细胞器。在此,我们汇集了一些最新证据,支持脂质滴作为连接多种相关代谢和细胞功能的平台这一新兴观点。