Lipid droplets (LD) are dynamic organelles that can expand and shrink, driven by fluctuations in the rate of triglyceride synthesis and degradation. Triglyceride synthesis, storage in LD, and degradation are governed by a complex set of LD-associated proteins. One of these LD-associated proteins, hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated (HILPDA), was found to impair LD breakdown by inhibiting adipose triglyceride lipase. Here we characterized the physiological role and mechanism of action of HILPDA in hepatocytes. Expression of HILPDA was induced by fatty acids in several hepatoma cell lines. Hepatocyte-specific deficiency of HILPDA in mice modestly but significantly reduced hepatic triglycerides in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Similarly, deficiency of HILPDA in mouse precision-cut liver slices and primary hepatocytes reduced lipid storage and accumulation of fluorescently-labelled fatty acids in LD, respectively, which was independent of adipose triglyceride lipase. Fluorescence microscopy showed that HILPDA partly colocalizes with LD and with the endoplasmic reticulum, is especially abundant in perinuclear areas, and mainly associates with newly added fatty acids. Real-time fluorescence live-cell imaging further revealed that HILPDA preferentially localizes to LD that are being remodelled. Mechanistically, HILPDA overexpression increased lipid storage in human hepatoma cells concomitant with an increase in DGAT activity and DGAT1 protein levels. Finally, confocal microscopy and Förster resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy analysis indicated that HILPDA colocalizes and physically interacts with DGAT1. Overall, our data indicate that HILPDA physically interacts with DGAT1 and increases DGAT activity. These findings suggest a novel mechanism in hepatocytes that links elevated fatty acid levels to stimulation of triglyceride synthesis and storage.

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