# Mechanisms of Lipid Droplet Protein Targeting

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · 2022 · $298,913

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Lipid storage is a fundamental process for organisms to buffer fluctuations in the availability and need for
metabolic energy. Lipids are predominantly stored as neutral lipids, such as triacylglycerols (TGs), in organelles
called lipid droplets (LDs). These organelles are hubs of metabolism with most of their biochemical functions
being executed by proteins targeting their surface. Consistent with the important function of LD proteins in
metabolism, their aberrant accumulation on LDs can cause diseases, such as liver disease or lipodystrophy.
Despite the fundamental importance of LD proteins and their intimate link to human physiology and pathology,
little is known about the mechanisms how protein target LDs. In this proposal, we address this question for some
of the most important lipid metabolism enzymes that target LDs after initial insertion into the endoplasmatic
reticulum. Capitalizing on results from the previous funding period, we will define the machinery building bridges
between the ER and LDs for protein targeting and decipher the molecular driving forces for transport to LDs.
Completing these aims will reveal a fundamental aspect of evolutionarily conserved cell biology. Since
accumulation of protein variants on LDs causes common metabolic diseases, our may also provide new
therapeutic avenues for intervention.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10322126
- **Project number:** 5R01GM097194-12
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Tobias C Walther
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $298,913
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-09-30 → 2022-09-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10322126

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10322126, Mechanisms of Lipid Droplet Protein Targeting (5R01GM097194-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10322126. Licensed CC0.

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