EHD2-mediated restriction of caveolar dynamics regulates cellular fatty acid uptake

Caveolae are small plasma membrane invaginations that are particularly abundant in adipocytes. Caveolae are implicated in lipid uptake, but the exact mechanism is not clear. Here, we characterized the physiological function of EHD2, a protein that is found at the neck of caveolae. We established a link between higher caveolar mobility induced by EHD2 loss and increased cellular fatty acid uptake. Concurrently, lipid droplets were enlarged in various tissues of EHD2-lacking mice. Our data suggest that EHD2 controls a cell-autonomous, caveolae-dependent fatty acid uptake pathway. Notably, obese patients express only low levels of EHD2, implicating a role of EHD2-controlled caveolar dynamics in obesity.