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Nuclear lipid droplets identified by electron microscopy of serial sections
Rustem Uzbekov1, Philippe Roingeard
1Plateforme des Microscopies, Université François Rabelais & CHRU de Tours, Tours, France. roingeard@med.univ-tours.fr.
BMC Research Notes
|September 28, 2013
Summary
Nuclear lipid droplets (LDs) are distinct nuclear structures, not merely cytoplasmic LDs trapped by the nuclear envelope. This finding suggests their unique role in nuclear lipid homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Recent studies suggest nuclear lipid droplets (LDs) resemble cytoplasmic LDs.
- Cytoplasmic LDs originate from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), continuous with the nuclear envelope.
- Previous microscopy lacked resolution to confirm if nuclear LDs are trapped cytoplasmic LDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the precise origin and localization of nuclear lipid droplets.
- To investigate the relationship between cytoplasmic and nuclear LDs.
- To clarify the structural independence of nuclear LDs.
Main Methods:
- Serial section electron microscopy (EM) was employed.
- Human liver tissue was analyzed at high resolution.
- Distinguishing nuclear LDs from cytoplasmic LDs was the focus.
Main Results:
- Electron microscopy revealed cytoplasmic LDs partially enclosed by the nuclear compartment.
- Crucially, distinct LDs were identified within the nuclear compartment, unconnected to the nuclear envelope.
- This provides direct evidence against nuclear LDs being solely trapped cytoplasmic structures.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear LDs are specific subdomains within the nuclear compartment.
- These nuclear LDs likely play a role in maintaining nuclear lipid homeostasis.
- The findings establish nuclear LDs as unique entities involved in nuclear lipid management.
