Macrophage-specific N-terminal truncation of Plin2 limits the size of lipid droplets.

ABSTRACT: Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that exhibit cell-type-specific heterogeneity in size, composition, and abundance to support diverse cellular functions. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this functional diversity remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a cell-type-specific truncated isoform of Plin2, which was present in macrophages but absent in adipocytes. Using N-terminal HA- and C-terminal FLAG-tagged Plin2 constructs combined with immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry analysis in HEK293T cells or macrophages, we confirmed the N-terminal truncation and mapped the deletion site to residues 40-44. Ectopic expression of this truncated variant significantly reduced LD size in both macrophages and HEK293T cells. These findings reveal that macrophages modulate li

SUBMITTER: Tian Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12921128 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature