DGAT1-Dependent Lipid Droplet Biogenesis Protects Mitochondrial Function during Starvation-Induced Autophagy

Publication date: 10 July 2017
Source:Developmental Cell, Volume 42, Issue 1
Author(s): Truc B. Nguyen, Sharon M. Louie, Joseph R. Daniele, Quan Tran, Andrew Dillin, Roberto Zoncu, Daniel K. Nomura, James A. Olzmann
Lipid droplets (LDs) provide an "on-demand" source of fatty acids (FAs) that can be mobilized in response to fluctuations in nutrient abundance. Surprisingly, the amount of LDs increases during prolonged periods of nutrient deprivation. Why cells store FAs in LDs during an energy crisis is unknown. Our data demonstrate that mTORC1-regulated autophagy is necessary and sufficient for starvation-induced LD biogenesis. The ER-resident diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) selectively channels autophagy-liberated FAs into new, clustered LDs that are in close proximity to mitochondria and are lipolytically degraded. However, LDs are not required for FA delivery to mitochondria but instead function to prevent acylcarnitine accumulation and lipotoxic dysregulation of mitochondria. Our data support a model in which LDs provide a lipid buffering system that sequesters FAs released during the autophagic degradation of membranous organelles, reducing lipotoxicity. These findings reveal an unrecognized aspect of the cellular adaptive response to starvation, mediated by LDs.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Nguyen et al. demonstrate that lipid droplet biogenesis is a general, protective cellular response during periods of high autophagic flux. Under these conditions, lipid droplets prevent lipotoxicity by sequestering FAs released during the autophagic breakdown of organelles. In the absence of lipid droplets, acylcarnitines accumulate and cause mitochondrial uncoupling.


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