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Lipid droplets interact with mitochondria using SNAP23
Author(s) -
Jägerström Sara,
Polesie Sam,
Wickström Ylva,
Johansson Bengt R.,
Schröder Henrik D.,
Højlund Kurt,
Boström Pontus
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1016/j.cellbi.2009.06.011
Subject(s) - organelle , lipid droplet , mitochondrion , endoplasmic reticulum , microbiology and biotechnology , peroxisome , cytosol , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , gene , enzyme
Triglyceride‐containing lipid droplets (LD) are dynamic organelles stored on demand in all cells. These droplets grow through a fusion process mediated by SNARE proteins, including SNAP23. The droplets have also been shown to be highly motile and interact with other cell organelles, including peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum. We have used electron and confocal microscopy to demonstrate that LD form complexes with mitochondria in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Using an in vitro system of purified LD and mitochondria, we also show the formation of the LD–mitochondria complex, in which cytosolic factors are involved. Moreover, the presence of LD markers in mitochondria isolated by subcellular fractionations is demonstrated. Finally, ablation of SNAP23 using siRNA reduced complex formation and beta oxidation, which suggests that the LD–mitochondria complex is functional in the cell.