Differential pattern of lipid droplet-associated proteins and de novo perilipin expression in hepatocyte steatogenesis

Introduction: Fatty change (steatosis) is the most frequent liver pathology in western countries and is caused by a broad range of disorders such as alcohol abuse and metabolic syndrome. The surface layer of lipid droplets (LDs) contains members of a protein family that share homologous sequences and domains, the so-called PAT proteins, named after their constituents, perilipin, adipophilin, and TIP47. Material& Methods: The expression of PAT proteins in liver specimens of different species was analysed using immunohistochemical, protein biochemical as well as molecular biological methods. Results: We characteri…