Abstract
Lipolysis is defined as the sequential hydrolysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) stored in cell lipid droplets. For many years, it was believed that hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) were the main enzymes catalyzing lipolysis in the white adipose tissue. Since the discovery of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in 2004, many studies were performed to investigate and characterize the actions of this lipase, as well as of other proteins and possible regulatory mechanisms involved, which reformulated the concept of lipolysis. Novel findings from these studies include the identification of lipolytic products as signaling molecules regulating important metabolic processes in many non-adipose tissues, unveiling a previously underestimated aspect of lipolysis. Thus, we present here an updated review of concepts and regulation of white adipocyte lipolysis with a special emphasis in its role in metabolism homeostasis and as a source of important signaling molecules.
Highlights
Pre-formed lipids that come from the diet or even those that are synthetized are stored mainly in the white adipose tissue (WAT) as triacylglycerols (TAG), neutral lipids made up of three fatty acids esterified to the carbon backbone of a glycerol molecule [1,2,3]
Among the several proteins that make up this monolayer, perilipin 1A may be emphasized, as it is the main perilipin found in the adipocyte
It was believed that hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and monoacyglycerol lipase (MGL) were the main enzymes involved in WAT lipolysis
Summary
Pre-formed lipids that come from the diet or even those that are synthetized are stored mainly in the white adipose tissue (WAT) as triacylglycerols (TAG), neutral lipids made up of three fatty acids esterified to the carbon backbone of a glycerol molecule [1,2,3]. In prolonged periods of positive energy balance, which result from excessive consumption of high-calorie foods added to the lack of physical activity, adiposity increases. This chronic process may lead to the development of obesity [11,12]. In prolonged periods of fasting or of high demands of energy, lipolysis is essential to supply fatty acids and glycerol as energy substrates to tissues Changes in this process have frequently been associated with lipodystrophy, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity [12,13]. We present here an updated review of lipolysis concepts and regulation in white adipocytes, with special emphasis in its role as a source of important signaling molecules in the control of metabolic homeostasis
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