The lipid droplet as a signaling node

Lipid droplets are widely recognized as the primary energy storage depot in most cell types. However, as the field of lipid droplet biology has grown, roles for these dynamic organelles have expanded beyond storage of lipids. These studies show that lipid droplets orchestrate numerous signaling cascades as a means to govern cellular function and disease development. Moreover, lipid droplets elicit these effects through changes in the sequestration and production of signaling lipids as well as influencing proteins that coat the droplet surface. This chapter will summarize research evaluating how lipid droplets communicate within cells and provide a context for how this communication (or miscommunication) can lead to cellular dysfunction.