Rab proteins as regulators of lipid droplet formation and lipolysis.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are highly dynamic organelles that not only store neutral lipids but also are involved in multiple cellular processes. Dysregulation of lipogenesis or lipolysis greatly contributes to the pathogenesis of several human diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Rab proteins have been found to be associated with LDs in proteomic studies and are also known to extensively regulate intracellular membrane traffic, suggesting that LDs actively communicate with other membrane compartments to maintain energy homeostasis. This review discusses recent studies that provide mechanistic insights into the regulation of LD formation and catabolism by Rab proteins in mammalian cells.