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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Exploring the Regulation of Lipid Droplet Catabolism through Lipophagy
Published on: January 31, 2025
Intracellular communication between lipid droplets and peroxisomes: the Janus face of PEX19
Bianca Schrul1, Wolfgang Schliebs2
1Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Faculty of Medicine, Saarland University, Kirrberger Str. 100, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Abstract:
In order to adapt to environmental changes, such as nutrient availability, cells have to orchestrate multiple metabolic pathways, which are catalyzed in distinct specialized organelles. Lipid droplets (LDs) and peroxisomes are both endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived organelles that fulfill complementary functions in lipid metabolism: Upon nutrient supply, LDs store metabolic energy in the form of neutral lipids and, when energy is needed, supply fatty acids for oxidation in peroxisomes and mitochondria. How these organelles communicate with each other for a concerted metabolic output remains a central question. Here, we summarize recent insights into the biogenesis and function of LDs and peroxisomes with emphasis on the role of PEX19 in these processes.
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