Molecular determinants of lipid droplet subpopulations and their fates

Distinct pools of lipid droplets (LDs) exist in individual cells and are demarcated both by their unique proteomes and lipid compositions. Focusing on yeast-based work, we briefly review the state of understanding of LD subsets, and how specific proteins can dictate their identities and fates through lipophagy and lipolysis-mediated turnover. Lipid droplets (LDs) are energy-rich organelles mobilized by lipolysis or micro-lipophagy in yeast. Here, we discuss how the LD proteins Ldo16/45 and Tld1 target to LD subsets and influence LD turnover. Tld1 and Ldo proteins mark LD subsets, and Tld1 inhibits lipolysis whereas Ldo1 proteins promote micro-lipophagy. Thus, Ldo and Tld proteins appear to dictate the fate of LD subsets in lipid turnover. image