Lipids are diverse molecules, including triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol, and they are involved in various physiological functions. Lipid metabolism refers to the process by which the body synthesizes, breaks down, and stores lipids. It is essential for energy production, cellular structure, and signaling within the body. The metabolism of lipids involves intricate biochemical pathways, including lipolysis, lipogenesis, and beta-oxidation, as well as the transportation of lipids in the bloodstream by lipoproteins. It is tightly regulated by hormonal and enzymatic control to maintain lipid homeostasis. Dysregulation of lipid metabolism can cause metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Fatty acids are essential components of lipids and play a key role in energy production and cellular function. Fatty acid comes from two sources, involving their transport across cell membranes via specific protein carriers like fatty acid translocase and fatty acid transport proteins, as well as lipolysis of intracellular lipid droplets. The uptake of extracellular fatty acids (long chain) into cytosol must be aided by several membrane proteins, such as CD36 and FATP.
Cholesterol is a major component of cell membranes and can help to make many hormones and vitamin D. Cholesterol uptake refers to the process by which the body takes up cholesterol from the diet and incorporates it into the bloodstream. This occurs mainly in the small intestine, where dietary cholesterol is absorbed by the intestinal wall and then transferred to the liver. Cholesterol uptake includes NPC1L1-mediated small intestine cholesterol absorption and LDLR-mediated LDL-C uptake.
Lipid synthesis is the biological process by which cells produce fatty acids, triglycerides, and other lipid molecules. Occurring predominantly in the liver, adipose tissue, and lactating mammary glands, lipid synthesis is a complex, tightly regulated process involving various enzymes and metabolic pathways. Acetyl-CoA, generated from glycolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO), participates in the initial steps of fatty acid synthesis by entering the TCA cycle to generate citric acid. Besides, acetyl-CoA is also a substrate for cholesterol synthesis, which can be further processed into hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. ACLY, ACC, and FASN are also parts of key enzymes involved in the de novo fatty acid synthesis pathway.
Lipid oxidation, also commonly known as FAO, plays an important role in human metabolism by decomposing fatty acids for energy supply. FAO is a fundamental process in lipid metabolism, occurring in the mitochondria. It involves the sequential breakdown of fatty acids into acetyl-CoA, generating NADH and FADH2 for ATP production via the electron transport chain. Long-chain acyl-CoA must pass through the mitochondrial membrane to enter the mitochondrial matrix through the carnitine-palmitoyl shuttle system, which includes CPT1, CPT2, and CACT.
Lipid transportation involves the movement of lipids throughout the body via lipoproteins. Lipids are insoluble in water and need transport vehicles for transit through the bloodstream. Lipoproteins, such as LDL, HDL, and VLDL, serve as carriers for lipids, facilitating their transport from the liver to tissues and back. These lipoproteins play crucial roles in lipid metabolism, delivering lipids to cells for energy production, membrane synthesis, and storage.
Fig.1 A simplified schematic representation of lipid metabolism.1
Based on comprehensive and professional research, Amerigo Scientific provides target molecule antibody products covering the whole process of lipid metabolism. In addition, customized antibody types are available here. The target molecules are shown below, including but not limited to:
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