Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2025

10:23
Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: April 17, 2017
10.0K
Controlling lipid droplet dynamics via tether condensates
Chems Amari1,2, Damien Simon1,3, Emma Pasquier1
1CPCV, Department of Chemistry, ENS, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France.
Nature Chemical Biology
|May 21, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed Controlled Trapping of LDs (ControLD) to manipulate lipid droplet (LD) dynamics. This method reversibly sequesters and releases LDs, offering new insights into cellular lipid metabolism and organelle interactions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Metabolic Regulation
- Organelle Dynamics
Background:
- Lipid droplets (LDs) are crucial for lipid metabolism but their complex dynamics and interactions with other organelles are challenging to study.
- Understanding LD proteome and spatiotemporal interactions is key to elucidating their diverse cellular roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for the controlled sequestration and release of intracellular lipid droplets.
- To investigate the impact of synchronized LD behavior on cellular processes and organelle interactions.
Main Methods:
- Development of Controlled Trapping of LDs (ControLD), utilizing engineered condensates for reversible LD sequestration.
- Application of ControLD to disrupt LD remobilization and prevent LD-mitochondria contact site formation.
Main Results:
- ControLD effectively halts and resumes LD activity by sequestering and releasing them.
- Disruption of LD remobilization during metabolic stress was observed.
- Re-establishment of LD-mitochondria contact sites upon ControLD dissociation was confirmed.
Conclusions:
- ControLD provides a powerful tool for manipulating LD dynamics and studying their functions.
- This method facilitates deeper investigation into LD biology and offers potential for manipulating other organelles.
Related Concept Videos
Membrane Fluidity
10.9K
Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
10.9K
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation
2.5K
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
2.5K
Lipids as Anchors
5.5K
In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...
5.5K
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
2.9K
Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...
2.9K

