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Is fat so bad? Modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress by lipid droplet formation
Author(s) -
Hapala Ivan,
Marza Esther,
Ferreira Thierry
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1042/bc20100144
Subject(s) - endoplasmic reticulum , unfolded protein response , organelle , homeostasis , biology , lipid droplet , microbiology and biotechnology , lipid metabolism , biochemistry
LDs (lipid droplets) have long been considered as inert particles used by the cells to store fatty acids and sterols as esterified non‐toxic lipid species (i.e. triacylglycerols and steryl esters). However, accumulating evidence suggests that LDs behave as a dynamic compartment, which is involved in the regulation of several aspects of the homoeostasis of their originating organelle, namely the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). The ER is particularly sensitive to physiological/pathological stimuli, which can ultimately induce ER stress. In the present review, after considering the basic mechanisms of LD formation and the signal cascades leading to ER stress, we focus on the connections between these two pathways. Taking into consideration recent data from the literature, we will try to draw possible mechanisms for the role of LDs in the regulation of ER homoeostasis and in ER‐stress‐related diseases.