Organization and distribution of cellular fats and the consequences of abnormalities

The cellular distribution and organization of fats (or lipids) are regulated by a variety of transfer proteins, including but not limited to scramblases and flippases. Not surprisingly, mutations in these proteins are proposed to influence a myriad of disorders including male infertility, bile acid accumulation in the liver, diabetes, obesity and neurological degeneration. This proposal will explore both the cell biological roles of lipids and the proteins that regulate their distribution. Understanding the function of lipids within the cell and these proteins will help us understand the disorders described and aid in the development of potential treatments.