Abstract
Cells adjust their metabolism by remodeling membrane contact sites that channel metabolites to different fates. Lipid droplet (LD)-mitochondria contacts change in response to fasting, cold exposure, and exercise. However, their function and mechanism of formation have remained controversial. We focused on perilipin 5 (PLIN5), an LD protein that tethers mitochondria, to probe the function and regulation of LD-mitochondria contacts. We demonstrate that efficient LD-to-mitochondria fatty acid (FA) trafficking and ß-oxidation during starvation of myoblasts are promoted by phosphorylation of PLIN5 and require an intact PLIN5 mitochondrial tethering domain. Using human and murine cells, we further identified the acyl-CoA synthetase, FATP4 (ACSVL4), as a mitochondrial interactor of PLIN5. The C-terminal domains of PLIN5 and FATP4 constitute a minimal protein interaction capable of inducing organelle contacts. Our work suggests that starvation leads to phosphorylation of PLIN5, lipolysis, and subsequent channeling of FAs from LDs to FATP4 on mitochondria for conversion to fatty-acyl-CoAs and subsequent oxidation.