The inner nuclear membrane-associated protein Csa1 regulates lipid droplet biogenesis and nuclear shape in a Sir2-dependent manner

Abstract

The nuclear envelope, a double-membrane structure consisting of the inner nuclear membrane (INM) and the outer nuclear membrane, encloses the nucleus. In response to cellular cues, lipid droplets are formed at the INM, which plays a key role in membrane homeostasis and energy storage. However, the signaling pathway that regulates the formation of nuclear lipid droplets remains to be elucidated. Here we show that in budding yeast, the INM-localized protein Csa1 regulates the nuclear localization of the acyltransferase Lro1, which converts diacylglycerol to triacylglycerol, leading to lipid droplet formation. Csa1 harbors a bipartite nuclear localization signal for nuclear sorting, along with an amphipathic helix that anchors it to the INM. Upon nutrient depletion and at the onset of meiosis, both Csa1 and Lro1 are enriched at a distinct INM subdomain that abuts the nucleolus, which we term the n-INM. We show that Csa1 is essential for targeting Lro1 to the n-INM region. In the absence of Csa1, Lro1 is dispersed along the nuclear periphery. The deacetylase activity of Sir2 is required for the n-INM enrichment of both Csa1 and Lro1. In the absence of either Csa1 or Sir2, lipid droplet formation is compromised. Our findings uncover an unexpected Sir2-dependent Csa1-Lro1 signaling pathway at the INM that regulates lipid droplet biogenesis and nuclear envelope remodeling.