The Role of Cytosolic Lipid Droplets in Hepatitis C Virus Replication, Assembly, and Release

Figure 2

Basic morphology of cLDs. The hydrophobic neutral lipid core of cLDs is encircled by a monolayer phospholipid membrane, which separates hydrophobic neutral lipids from the aqueous cytoplasmic environment. Neutral lipids, primarily TG and CE, are stored in varying ratios in the hydrophobic core of cLDs. Besides membrane phospholipid compositions, the surface protein comprises perilipin (PLIN) proteins.