A single centrifugation method for isolating fat droplets from cells and tissues

J Lipid Res. 2012 May;53(5):1021-1025. doi: 10.1194/jlr.D023598. Epub 2012 Feb 11.

Abstract

Fat droplets (FDs) have important roles in cellular energy regulation. Isolating FDs from either cells or tissue continues to be important for studying these organelles. Here, we describe a procedure wherein whole homogenates of cultured cells or tissue are fractionated with a single centrifugation step in a standard microcentrifuge. This procedure reproducibly yields three fractions highly enriched in either FDs, soluble cellular components, or sedimentable organelles/membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Fractionation / methods*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Separation
  • Centrifugation / methods*
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Lipids / isolation & purification*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Lipids