SPART links autophagy machinery and lipid droplets in motor neurons

Summary: Lipid droplets (LDs) are organelles for energy storage and lipid homeostasis. The molecular mechanisms mediating LD degradation by selective autophagy (lipophagy) are unknown. The study identifies spartin as a receptor localizing to LDs and interacting with core autophagy machinery, and shows that spartin is required to deliver LDs to lysosomes for triglyceride mobilization. Interfering with spartin function leads to LD and triglyceride accumulation, suggesting that impaired LD turnover contributes to Troyer syndrome development.

Summary: Lipophagy is a form of selective autophagy that degrades intracellular lipid droplets, and it plays a significant role in regulating lipid storage, energy balance, and disease development and treatment.