Pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase (PNLIP) (PNLIP)

Gastrointestinal lipases, primarily pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase (PNLIP) and gastric triacylglycerol lipase (LIPF), are essential enzymes for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats (Wikipedia, 2024; StatPearls, 2023). Secreted by the pancreas and gastric chief cells respectively, these enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides within the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract (PubMed, 2021; NIH, 2024). Pancreatic lipase is the primary enzyme responsible for the majority of fat digestion, requiring colipase and bile salts for optimal activity, while gastric lipase initiates the process in the acidic environment of the stomach (UniProt, 2024; Wikipedia, 2024). These enzymes are significant therapeutic targets in the management of obesity; drugs like orlistat inhibit their activity to reduce fat absorption and caloric intake (PubMed, 2022; StatPearls, 2023). Conversely, a deficiency in these lipases leads to malabsorption syndromes such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which is treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ResearchGate, 2025; UniProt, 2024).

Other names

Pancreatic lipaseGastric lipaseSteapsinPancreatic triacylglycerol lipaseGastric triacylglycerol lipasePTLHGLGLHLALPNLIPLIPFGastrointestinal lipase

Covalent inhibition of the active serine site of gastric and pancreatic lipases in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing the hydrolysis of dietary triglycerides into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides (PubMed, 2021; StatPearls, 2023).