Live-cell imaging demonstrates rapid cargo exchange between lipid droplets in adipocytes Journal Article


Authors: Somwar, R.; Roberts, C. T. Jr; Varlamov, O.
Article Title: Live-cell imaging demonstrates rapid cargo exchange between lipid droplets in adipocytes
Abstract: Lipid droplets form the storage reservoirs for lipids in adipocytes, and their stable appearance suggests a static nature of lipid storage. A stable lipid store, however, may be maintained through the dynamic recycling of lipid cargo between the cytoplasmic compartment and the lipid droplet. In this study, we applied live-cell microscopy to follow intracellular transport steps of fluorescently labeled fatty acids in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We demonstrate that intracellular lipids continuously exit and re-enter lipid droplets, and that individual lipid droplets exchange their content on a timescale of minutes. These data demonstrate a surprisingly high rate of intracellular lipid turnover in adipocytes and support the novel concept that lipid storage is achieved by dynamic recycling rather than static retention. © 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: obesity; fatty acid; adipocyte; fluorescent microscopy; frap; lipid droplet
Journal Title: FEBS Letters
Volume: 585
Issue: 12
ISSN: 0014-5793
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2011-06-23
Start Page: 1946
End Page: 1950
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.05.016
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 21575639
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 23 June 2011" - "CODEN: FEBLA" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Romel Somwar
    111 Somwar