Diacylglycerol enrichment of endoplasmic reticulum or lipid droplets recruits perilipin 3/TIP47 during lipid storage and mobilization.

Fatty acid-induced triacylglycerol synthesis produces triacylglycerol droplets with a protein coat that includes perilipin 3/TIP47 and perilipin 4/S3-12. This study addresses the following two questions. Where do lipid droplets emerge, and how are their coat proteins recruited? We show that perilipin 3- and perilipin 4-coated lipid droplets emerge along the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

A simple and rapid method to assay triacylglycerol in cells and tissues.

We have developed a reliable, rapid, and economical assay for the quantification of triacylglycerol (TG) in cells and animal tissues. In a few hours, this assay quantifies microgram amounts of TG from tens or even hundreds of samples. The protocol includes an organic extraction to partition TG away from proteins and other hydrophilic molecules found in cells and tissues that may interfere with the colorimetric enzyme-linked TG detection method.