Abstract 2333 Molecular structure, cell localization, and evolutionary relationships of a novel family of putative lipases in Tetrahymena thermophila

Lipid droplets (LDs) are important and dynamic organelles in all cells. Proteomic studies have shown that LDs are decorated with up to hundreds of different proteins that modulate LD formation, function, and interaction with other organelles. Like other organisms, work in our lab has shown that the freshwater ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila increases LD formation during nutrient challenges such as starvation. To better understand the formation and function of Tetrahymena LDs during starvation, we performed a proteomic screen to identify LD-associated proteins.