Lipid droplets are versatile organelles involved in plant development and plant response to environmental changes

Abstract

Since decades plant lipid droplets (LDs) are described as storage organelles accumulated in seeds to provide energy for seedling growth after germination. Indeed, LDs are the site of accumulation for neutral lipids, predominantly triacylglycerols (TAGs), one of the most energy-dense molecules, and sterol esters. Such organelles are present in the whole plant kingdom, from microalgae to perennial trees, and can probably be found in all plant tissues. Several studies over the past decade have revealed that LDs are not merely simple energy storage compartments, but also dynamic structures involved in diverse cellular processes like membrane remodeling, regulation of energy homeostasis and stress responses. In this review, we aim to highlight the functions of LDs in plant development and response to environmental changes. In particular, we tackle the fate and roles of LDs during the plant post-stress recovery phase.

Powdery mildew infection induces a non-canonical route to storage lipid formation at the expense of host thylakoid lipids to fuel its spore production

“…However, at 5-6 um (Fig. 3D), the lipid bodies are at the top of the size range reported for stress-induced leaf plastoglobules (Arzac, Fernández-Marín, and García-Plazaola 2022; Bouchnak et al 2023), but common for cytosolic lipid droplets (C. Xu, Fan, and Shanklin 2020).…”

Degeneration of oil bodies by rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER)-associated protein during seed germination in Cannabis sativa L.

“…LDs are not merely energy storage organelles, but also dynamic structures involved in diverse cellular metabolisms like membrane remodelling, regulation of energy homeostasis, stress responses and coordination between different organelles ( Choi et al 2022 ; Bouchnak et al 2023 ). In addition, they play crucial roles at key sites in the freezing tolerance of seeds, engaging in direct interaction with glyoxysomes for seedling lipid degradation and producing antifungal compounds in leaves ( Shimada et al 2018 ; Olzmann and Carvalho 2019 ).…”

Advancement of Abiotic Stresses for Microalgal Lipid Production and Its Bioprospecting into Sustainable Biofuels

“…Studies have shown that LDs are dynamic structures that play essential roles in cellular activities. These findings have revealed the multifunctionality of LDs within cells [247]. Abiotic stress can cause changes in nutrient availability and energy demands in cells, which can lead to alterations in TAG accumulation.…”