A kinase cascade on the yeast lysosomal vacuole regulates its membrane dynamics: conserved kinase Env7 is phosphorylated by casein kinase Yck3.

Membrane fusion/fission is a highly dynamic and conserved process that responds to intra- and extracellular signals. Whereas the molecular machineries involved in membrane fusion/fission have been dissected, regulation of membrane dynamics remains poorly understood. The lysosomal vacuole of budding yeast () has served as a seminal model in studies of membrane dynamics.

Yeast ENV9 encodes a conserved lipid droplet (LD) short-chain dehydrogenase involved in LD morphology.

Lipid droplets (LDs) have emerged as dynamic and interactive organelles with important roles in lipid metabolism and membrane biogenesis. Here, we report that Saccharomyces cerevisiae Env9 is a novel conserved oxidoreductase involved in LD morphology. Microscopic and biochemical studies confirm localization of tagged Env9 to LDs and implicate its C-terminal hydrophobic domain (aa241-265) in its membrane association and stability.