NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was thought to be the only enzyme involved in triglyceride hydrolysis. Now, new research indicates that another enzyme, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) plays a role in the process.
These findings could have important therapeutic implications for diseases that involve dysfunctional lipolysis, such as obesity and insulin, according to the report in the November 19th issue of Science.
Dr. Rudolf Zechner, from the University of Graz in Austria, and colleagues found that ATGL, a previously undescribed enzyme, catalyzes the initial step of triglyceride hydrolysis.
Key features of the enzyme include high expression in adipose tissue, the presence of a “patatin domain” often found in plant acyl-hydrolases, high substrate specificity for triacylglycerol, and association with lipid droplets. Blocking ATGL caused a pronounced drop in total adipose acyl-hydrolase activity, the authors note.
“The inhibition of ATGL offers a potential therapeutic approach to control fatty acid release from adipose tissue in patients with insulin resistance,” the researchers point out.
Source: Science 2004;306:1383-1386. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Chemistry: Chemistry, Physical: Hydrolysis: Physical Sciences: Physical SciencesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
