Figure 1.

ApoE regulates LD dynamics. ApoE undergoes co-translational translocation into the ER lumen, where it enters the secretory route. Once secreted, ApoE regulates lipid transport between different brain cells. Windham and colleagues now show that upon a fatty acid challenge, ApoE escapes translocation into the ER and is recruited to newly formed LDs. In absence of ApoE, or in the presence of the AD risk variant ApoE4, LDs become larger and have increased levels of unsaturated triglycerides that are more sensitive to lipid peroxidation.