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Lipid droplets in plants and algae: Distribution, formation, turnover and function

Journal Article · · Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Gottingen University (Germany); Gottingen Univ. (Germany)
  2. Gottingen University (Germany)
  3. University of Guelph, ON (Canada)
  4. US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), Maricopa, AZ (United States)
  5. University of North Texas, Denton, TX (United States)

We report plant oils represent an energy-rich and carbon-dense group of hydrophobic compounds. These oils are not only of economic interest, but also play important, fundamental roles in plant and algal growth and development. The subcellular storage compartments of plant lipids, referred to as lipid droplets (LDs), have long been considered relatively inert oil vessels. However, research in the last decade has revealed that LDs play far more dynamic roles in plant biology than previously appreciated, including transient neutral lipid storage, membrane remodeling, lipid signaling, and stress responses. Here we discuss recent developments in the understanding of LD formation, turnover and function in land plants and algae.

Research Organization:
Univ. of North Texas, Denton, TX (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); German Research Foundation (DFG); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0000797; SC0016536
OSTI ID:
1850619
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1779523
Journal Information:
Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, Journal Name: Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology Journal Issue: C Vol. 108; ISSN 1084-9521
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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  • De Marcos Lousa, Carine; van Roermund, Carlo W. T.; Postis, Vincent L. G.
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 110, Issue 4, p. 1279-1284 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1218034110
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