Adipose tissue lipolysis pathway

The adipose tissue lipolysis pathway is a regulated sequence of biochemical reactions in which triglycerides stored in adipocytes are hydrolyzed by a series of lipases—principally adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and monoglyceride lipase (MGL)—to release free fatty acids and glycerol. This process is hormonally regulated, mainly promoted by catecholamines acting on beta-adrenergic receptors (stimulating cyclic AMP and protein kinase A) and inhibited by insulin and nicotinic acid. Lipolysis is essential for providing energy during fasting and exercise, but dysregulation is implicated in metabolic diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. Many components of the pathway (the enzymes, regulatory proteins, and receptors) are therapeutic targets in efforts to treat obesity, diabetes, and related disorders[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

Lipolysis pathwayAdipocyte lipolysisTriglyceride breakdown pathway

Activation: increase lipolysis by stimulating adrenergic receptors (promotes catecholamine signaling, increases cAMP, activates protein kinase A, phosphorylates key substrate proteins, activates lipases) Inhibition: decrease lipolysis via nicotinic acid receptor signaling (reduces cAMP, suppresses lipase activity) Modulation via phosphodiesterase inhibition (alters cAMP/cGMP concentration, impacting signaling cascade)