Lipid metabolism regulatory pathways

Lipid metabolism regulatory pathways represent a broad and complex network of biochemical processes responsible for the synthesis, transport, degradation, and storage of lipids such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty acids [StatPearls: NBK493173]. These pathways are governed by a variety of molecular entities, including enzymes like HMG-CoA reductase, transcription factors such as Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins (SREBPs) and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs), and regulatory proteins like PCSK9 [PubMed: 29434336, PubMed: 30135164]. Maintaining lipid homeostasis is critical for cellular membrane integrity, hormone production, and energy balance. Dysregulation of these pathways is a central driver in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease [PubMed: 31643312]. Pharmacological strategies often target specific nodes within these pathways to reduce circulating levels of atherogenic lipoproteins or to enhance fatty acid oxidation [PubMed: 28130243]. Because this term describes a collection of pathways rather than a single protein or receptor, it is considered a biological category rather than a specific therapeutic target.

Other names

Lipid metabolic processesLipid homeostasis pathwaysFatty acid and cholesterol regulatory networksLipid signaling pathways

Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase; Activation of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha); Inhibition of Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9); Inhibition of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) protein; Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).