Biochemistry II: Hydrolysis of Triacylglyerols

Hydrolysis of Triacylglyerols

Energy production from triacylglycerols starts with their hydrolysis into free fatty acids and glycerol. In adipose (fat-storing) tissue, this hydrolysis is carried out by a cellular lipase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis reaction to release the free fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acid is carried through the bloodstream by being adsorbed to serum albumin, while the glycerol goes to the liver. In the liver, glycerol can be sent to the glycolytic pathway by the action of two enzymes, glycerol kinase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate can also be used as a source of glucose or, after conversion to phosphoenolpyruvate, as a source of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA-cycle) intermediates.