An Overview of Mammalian Lipid Droplet Biology: From Molecular Mechanisms to Detection

Yue Jin, Yiqiao Zhang, Zhi Ouyang, Ye Zeng^*
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
* Corresponding Author: Ye Zeng. Email: email

BIOCELL https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2026.086244

Received 26 May 2026; Accepted 19 August 2026; Published online 24 August 2026

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Abstract

Lipid droplets (LDs) are now widely recognized as highly dynamic organelles with biological functions that extend far beyond traditional inert lipid storage. They act as central hubs regulating lipid metabolism, mediating organelle interactions, and participating in complex cellular signaling pathways. To provide an updated overview of mammalian LD biology, this review summarizes recent advances from basic mechanisms and detection to disease associations. We systematically outline LD biogenesis at the endoplasmic reticulum, protein classification, and specific targeting mechanisms, while tracing the developmental milestones of LD proteomics. Furthermore, we detail the dynamic remodeling processes mediated by the cell death-inducing DFF45-like effector (CIDE) and perilipin (PLIN) protein families, including the critical PLIN1-mediated recruitment of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) during lipolysis, and discuss lipophagy and extensive functional coupling between LDs and mitochondria or lysosomes, although the molecular mechanisms governing LD-organelle cross-talk remain largely elusive. We further highlight the impact of LD dysfunction across human diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Finally, we evaluate emerging detection technologies and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting LD metabolism, aiming to provide a useful reference for future mechanistic and translational research.