Wang Chao-Wen
Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2016 Aug;1861(8 Pt B):793-805. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2015.12.010. Epub 2015 Dec 20.
Lipids are essential components for life. Their various structural and physical properties influence diverse cellular processes and, thereby, human health. Lipids are not genetically encoded but are synthesized and modified by complex metabolic pathways, supplying energy, membranes, signaling molecules, and hormones to affect growth, physiology, and response to environmental insults. Lipid homeostasis is crucial, such that excess fatty acids (FAs) can be harmful to cells. To prevent such lipotoxicity, cells convert excess FAs into neutral lipids for storage in organelles called lipid droplets (LDs). These organelles do not simply manage lipid storage and metabolism but also are involved in protein quality management, pathogenesis, immune responses, and, potentially, neurodegeneration. In recent years, a major trend in LD biology has centered around the physiology of lipid mobilization via lipophagy of fat stored within LDs. This review summarizes key findings in LD biology and lipophagy, offering novel insights into this rapidly growing field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The cellular lipid landscape edited by Tim P. Levine and Anant K. Menon.
脂质是生命的必需成分。它们多样的结构和物理性质影响着各种细胞过程，进而影响人类健康。脂质不是由基因编码的，而是通过复杂的代谢途径合成和修饰的，为细胞提供能量、细胞膜、信号分子和激素，以影响生长、生理功能以及对环境损伤的反应。脂质稳态至关重要，因为过量的脂肪酸（FAs）可能对细胞有害。为了防止这种脂毒性，细胞将过量的脂肪酸转化为中性脂质，储存于称为脂滴（LDs）的细胞器中。这些细胞器不仅管理脂质的储存和代谢，还参与蛋白质质量管理、发病机制、免疫反应，甚至可能与神经退行性变有关。近年来，脂滴生物学的一个主要趋势围绕着通过脂滴内储存脂肪的自噬作用实现脂质动员的生理学展开。本综述总结了脂滴生物学和脂质自噬的关键发现，为这个快速发展的领域提供了新的见解。本文是由蒂姆·P·莱文和阿南特·K·梅农编辑的名为《细胞脂质格局》的特刊的一部分。
