Perilipins, ADRP, and other proteins that associate with intracellular neutral lipid droplets in animal cells.

Although all animal cells package and store neutral lipids in discrete intracellular storage droplets, there is little information on the molecular processes that govern either the deposition or catabolism of the stored lipid components. Studies on adipocytes have uncovered the perilipins and ADRP, related proteins that appear to be intrinsic to the surfaces of intracellular lipid storage droplets. We discuss the properties, distribution, localization, and potential functions of these proteins, as well as those of vimentin and the recently-described 'capsular' proteins, in lipid storage and metabolism.