Intracellular lipid storage and utilization in adipocytes

Triacylglycerols or triglycerides (TGs) constitute a major energy reserve in nearly all animal species. Adipose tissue serves as a major reservoir of stored TGs along with cholesterol esters in intracellular organelles known as lipid droplets (LDs). LDs are decorated with several proteins (perilipin family, CIDE family, and lipases) that dynamically regulate fat storage and breakdown upon appropriate physiological stimuli. Impaired storage or breakdown of TGs causes metabolic derangements. Adipose dysfunction as a result of deregulated LD homeostasis, therefore, alters whole-body metabolism and predisposes to the risk of developing metabolic/cardiometabolic diseases. Our understanding of the role of LD biology in health and disease has expanded significantly over the last two decades. Here, we briefly summarize the role of LD-associated proteins in intracellular lipid storage and utilization in adipocytes.