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1849002 
Journal Article 
Cholesterol ester droplets and steroidogenesis 
Kraemer, FB; Khor, VK; Shen, WJ; Azhar, S 
2013 
1 
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
ISSN: 0303-7207
EISSN: 1872-8057 
371 
1-2 
15-19 
English 
23089211 
WOS:000319096600004 
Intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that contain a number of associated proteins including perilipin (Plin) and vimentin. Cholesteryl ester (CE)-rich LDs normally accumulate in steroidogenic cells and their mobilization is the preferred initial source of cholesterol for steroidogenesis. Plin1a, 1b and 5 were found to preferentially associate with triacylglycerol-rich LDs and Plin1c and Plin4 to associate with CE-rich LDs, but the biological significance of this remains unanswered. Vimentin null mice were found to have decreased ACTH-stimulated corticosterone levels, and decreased progesterone levels in females, but normal hCG-stimulated testosterone levels in males. Smaller LDs were seen in null cells. Lipoprotein cholesterol delivery to adrenals and ovary was normal, as was the expression of steroidogenic genes; however, the movement of cholesterol to mitochondria was reduced in vimentin null mice. These results suggest that vimentin is important in the maintenance of CE-rich LDs and in the movement of cholesterol for steroidogenesis. 
Lipid droplet; Cholesterol; Steroidogenesis; Perilipin; Mice; Vimentin