The life cycle of neutral lipids: synthesis, storage and degradation |
| |
Authors: | K Athenstaedt G Daum |
| |
Institution: | (1) Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12/2, 8010 Graz, Austria |
| |
Abstract: | Triacylglycerols (TAGs), steryl esters (SEs) and wax esters (WEs) form the group of neutral lipids. Whereas TAGs are present
in all types of cell, the occurrence of SEs in prokaryotes is questionable, and the presence of WEs as storage molecules is
restricted to plants and a few bacteria. Here, we summarize recent knowledge on the formation, storage and degradation of
TAGs and SEs in various cell types. We describe the biochemical pathways involved in TAG and SE synthesis and discuss the
subcellular compartmentation of these processes. Recently, several novel enzymes governing the metabolism of storage lipids
have been identified and characterized. Regulatory aspects of neutral lipid storage are just beginning to be understood. Finally,
we describe consequences of defects in neutral lipid metabolism. Since severe diseases like atherosclerosis, obesity and type
2 diabetes are caused by lipid accumulation, mechanisms underlying neutral lipid synthesis, depot formation and mobilization
are of major interest for curing such diseases that are increasingly associated with modern civilization.
Received 18 January 2006; received after revision 7 March 2006; accepted 16 March 2006 |
| |
Keywords: | Triacylglycerol steryl ester lipid particle lipid storage lipase |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|