Dynamic and differential regulation of proteins that coat lipid droplets in fatty liver dystrophic mice

Lipid droplet proteins (LDPs) coat the surface of triglyceride-rich lipid droplets and regulate their formation and lipolysis. We profiled hepatic LDP expression in fatty liver dystrophic (fl d) mice, a unique model of neonatal hepatic steatosis that predictably resolves between postnatal day 14 (P14) and P17. Western blotting revealed that perilipin-2/ADRP and perilipin-5/OXPAT were markedly increased in steatotic fl d liver but returned to normal by P17. However, the changes in perilipin-2 and perilipin-5 protein content in fl d mice were exaggerated compared with relatively modest increases in corresponding mRNAs encoding these proteins, a phenomenon likely mediated by increased protein stability. Conversely, cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector (Cide) family genes were strongly induced at the level of mRNA expression in steatotic fl d mouse liver. Surprisingly, levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, which is known to regulate Cide expression, were unchanged in fl d mice. However, sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) was activated in fl d liver and CideA was revealed as a new direct target gene of SREBP-1. In summary, LDP content is markedly increased in liver of fl d mice. However, whereas perilipin-2 and perilipin-5 levels are primarily regulated posttranslationally, Cide family mRNA expression is induced, suggesting that these families of LDP are controlled at different regulatory checkpoints.