Our analysis identified new C. elegans lipid droplet proteins, including
some that affect fat accumulation. One of the few proteins involved
in lipid metabolism identified in our proteomic survey was the acyl-CoA
synthetase ACS-4. A similar human protein, ACSL3, was shown to be localized
to lipid droplets in cultured cells, where it functions to promote
lipid droplet biogenesis at the ER [59,60]. Future studies will be necessary
to determine whether ACS-4 plays a role in lipid droplet biogenesis
or catabolism in C. elegans, as well as to confirm the cellular localization
and physiological functions of other proteins identified in our proteomic
analysis.