Enzymes of triglyceride synthesis and beta-oxidation

The enzymes of triglyceride synthesis and beta-oxidation represent a diverse group of proteins that regulate lipid homeostasis by balancing the storage and utilization of fatty acids. Triglyceride synthesis occurs primarily through the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway, with diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT) serving as a key rate-limiting enzyme for the final step of triacylglycerol formation [1]. Beta-oxidation is the primary pathway for fatty acid catabolism, occurring within the mitochondria and involving enzymes such as carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and various acyl-CoA dehydrogenases to produce acetyl-CoA for the citric acid cycle [2]. Imbalances between these two processes are strongly linked to metabolic diseases, including obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and type 2 diabetes [3]. Therapeutic strategies often involve inhibiting synthesis enzymes to reduce fat storage or activating oxidation pathways to increase energy expenditure. For example, DGAT inhibitors have been investigated for treating obesity and diabetes, while PPAR-alpha agonists like fibrates are used to upregulate beta-oxidation enzymes to lower plasma triglycerides [4]. However, targeting these fundamental metabolic processes carries risks, such as potential hepatotoxicity or the accumulation of metabolic intermediates [5].

Other names

Lipid metabolic enzymesFatty acid synthesis and oxidation enzymesTriacylglycerol synthesis and beta-oxidation enzymes