
Lipogenesis is the metabolic process of converting fatty acids and glycerol into fats. It is regulated by the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). Insulin, a peptide hormone, is critical for managing the body's metabolism and stimulates lipogenesis. Fatty acids are derived from various sources, including adipose tissue, and play a role in skeletal muscle lipid metabolism. Skeletal muscle lipid metabolism involves the utilization of different lipid sources during exercise, and the role of lipids in insulin resistance is also under investigation. Muscle mass can be increased through hypertrophy or hyperplasia, and fatty acids can influence muscle mass and differentiation. Overall, lipogenesis is a complex process that involves multiple factors and has important implications for health and disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lipogenesis | The synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides from carbohydrates or other energy sources acquired in the diet |
| Fatty acids | Produced in the cytoplasm of cells by repeatedly adding two-carbon units to acetyl-CoA |
| Triacylglycerol synthesis | Occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane of cells by bonding three fatty acid molecules to a glycerol molecule |
| Main location | Liver and adipose tissue |
| Other locations | Gut, kidney, brain |
| Regulated by | Transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) |
| Stimulated by | Insulin |
| Inhibited by | Leptin |
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What You'll Learn
- Lipogenesis is stimulated by insulin activating two enzymatic pathways
- Lipogenesis is regulated by the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c)
- Lipogenesis is the synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides
- Lipogenesis is the metabolic process that converts nonlipid carbon precursors into lipids
- Lipogenesis is the conversion of fatty acids and glycerol into fats

Lipogenesis is stimulated by insulin activating two enzymatic pathways
Lipogenesis is the metabolic process by which fatty acids and glycerol are converted into fats, or, more specifically, by which acetyl-CoA is converted to triglyceride for fat storage. It is stimulated by a high-carbohydrate diet and, crucially, by insulin. Insulin is perhaps the most important hormonal factor influencing lipogenesis.
Insulin activates two enzymatic pathways, which stimulate lipogenesis. Firstly, insulin increases the uptake of glucose in the adipose cell by recruiting glucose transporters to the plasma membrane. This is achieved by the binding of insulin to the insulin receptor at the cell surface, which activates tyrosine kinase activity and induces a range of downstream effects via tyrosine phosphorylation. This process also activates lipogenic and glycolytic enzymes via covalent modification.
Secondly, insulin stimulates the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase. The phosphatase removes the phosphate from pyruvate dehydrogenase, activating it and allowing for the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. This mechanism increases the levels of acetyl-CoA, which increases the flux through the fat synthesis pathway. Insulin affects ACC in a similar way, leading to its dephosphorylation via activation of PP2A phosphatase, which results in the activation of the enzyme.
Insulin also has long-term effects on the expression of lipogenic genes, probably via the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1). SREBP-1 also induces the expression and activity of glucokinase, increasing the concentration of a glucose metabolite. SREBP-1 is a critical intermediate in the pro- or anti-lipogenic action of several hormones and nutrients.
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Lipogenesis is regulated by the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c)
Lipogenesis is the synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides from carbohydrates or other energy sources acquired in the diet. Lipogenesis is regulated by the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). SREBP-1c is a transcription factor that is synthesized as a precursor in the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. It requires post-translational modification to yield its transcriptionally active nuclear form. Insulin activates the transcription and proteolytic maturation of SREBP-1c, which then induces the expression of a family of genes involved in glucose utilization and fatty acid synthesis. SREBP-1c is a key transcription factor that activates the expression of the lipogenic gene transcription program, playing a crucial role in insulin-induced de novo lipid synthesis.
SREBP-1c is involved in insulin-induced de novo lipid synthesis, and its activation is associated with insulin sensitivity and secretion. Insulin has long-term effects on glucose and lipid metabolism through its control of the expression of specific genes. SREBP-1c transduces the insulin signal in insulin-sensitive tissues, particularly in the liver. The activation of SREBP-1c by insulin leads to the enhancement of transcription of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS). This, in turn, increases hepatic production and secretion of triglycerides (TG) in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles.
The role of SREBP-1c in lipid metabolism is clinically significant due to its potential involvement in metabolic diseases. The ectopic accumulation of lipid stores in the liver, muscle, and pancreatic β-cells has been linked to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Genetic studies have suggested a possible role for SREBP-1c in dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes, as high lipid availability can negatively impact insulin sensitivity and secretion.
Additionally, SREBP-1c is regulated by mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) and is connected to lipid metabolism. A stiff cellular environment caused by ECM stiffening inhibits SREBP1 activation through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and RhoA-dependent acto-myosin contraction. This connection between the cellular environment and lipid metabolism provides insights into the complex regulation of SREBP-1c and its role in maintaining energy homeostasis.
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Lipogenesis is the synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides
Lipogenesis is the metabolic process that converts non-lipid carbon precursors into lipids. It is the synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides. This process creates lipids from acetyl CoA and takes place in the cytoplasm of adipocytes (fat cells) and hepatocytes (liver cells).
The synthesis of esterified fatty acids begins with acetyl-CoA, which is formed from pyruvate by pyruvate dehydrogenase. This enzyme plays a central role in de novo lipogenesis, which is the metabolic process that converts non-lipid carbon precursors into lipids. Acetyl-CoA is then irreversibly converted to malonyl-CoA, which is used to synthesize fatty acids. The major sites of fatty acid synthesis are adipose tissue and the liver.
Fatty acid synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm of cells, while oxidative degradation occurs in the mitochondria. The synthesis of fatty acids occurs by the addition of two-carbon units, derived from another acetyl CoA. This process is repeated until the fatty acids are of the appropriate length. The fatty acids are then esterified with glycerol to form triglycerides.
Triglycerides are synthesized by the esterification of fatty acids to glycerol. This process takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum of cells by metabolic pathways in which acyl groups in fatty acyl-CoAs are transferred to the hydroxyl groups of glycerol-3-phosphate and diacylglycerol. Three fatty acid chains are bonded to each glycerol molecule, with each of the three -OH groups of the glycerol reacting with the carboxyl end of a fatty acid chain.
Thus, lipogenesis is the synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides through the addition of two-carbon units to acetyl-CoA and the subsequent esterification of fatty acids with glycerol.
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Lipogenesis is the metabolic process that converts nonlipid carbon precursors into lipids
Lipogenesis begins with acetyl-CoA, which is converted into malonyl-CoA. This is used to synthesise fatty acids. The process of synthesising fatty acids involves repeatedly adding two-carbon units to acetyl-CoA. This process is repeated until fatty acids are the appropriate length. The fatty acids are then esterified to glycerol before being packaged into very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).
Lipogenesis is regulated by nutrient intake, individual endogenous status, and environmental factors. Insulin, leptin, and growth hormones are all hormones that regulate lipogenesis. Insulin stimulation of lipogenesis occurs through the promotion of glucose uptake by adipose tissue. The hormone leptin, on the other hand, may affect lipogenesis by limiting fat storage through the inhibition of glucose intake and interference with other adipose metabolic pathways.
Lipogenesis is also influenced by lifestyle and dietary factors. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, for example, decrease lipogenesis by suppressing fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene expression in the liver. Lipogenesis in skeletal muscle has been studied in the context of exercise and insulin resistance, with fatty acids serving as fuel for energy provision.
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Lipogenesis is the conversion of fatty acids and glycerol into fats
Lipogenesis is the metabolic process of converting nonlipid carbon precursors into lipids. It is the synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides from carbohydrates or other energy sources acquired in the diet. This process creates lipids (fats) from acetyl CoA and takes place in the cytoplasm of adipocytes (fat cells) and hepatocytes (liver cells).
During lipogenesis, fatty acid esterification takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum of cells. Here, acyl groups in fatty acyl-CoAs are transferred to the hydroxyl groups of glycerol-3-phosphate and diacylglycerol. Three fatty acid chains are bonded to each glycerol molecule. Each of the three -OH groups of the glycerol reacts with the carboxyl end of a fatty acid chain (-COOH). Water is eliminated, and the remaining carbon atoms are linked by an -O- bond through dehydration synthesis.
Lipogenesis is stimulated by a high-carbohydrate diet and inhibited by polyunsaturated fatty acids and fasting. Insulin stimulates lipogenesis by activating two enzymatic pathways. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) converts acetyl-CoA produced by PDH into malonyl-CoA. Malonyl-CoA provides the two-carbon building blocks used to create larger fatty acids.
The hormone leptin may also affect lipogenesis by limiting fat storage through the inhibition of glucose intake and interference with other adipose metabolic pathways. Leptin controls the release of stored glucose from adipose tissues by promoting fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting lipogenesis. Growth hormones (GH) also prevent the stimulation of lipogenesis in adipose cells, resulting in fat loss and muscle gain.
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Frequently asked questions
Lipogenesis is the synthesis of esterified fatty acids, which form triglycerides from carbohydrates or other energy sources acquired in the diet. It is a metabolic process through which acetyl-CoA is converted to triglyceride for storage in fat.
Fatty acids are essential for muscle mass and differentiation. They can be derived from adipose tissue lipolysis, intramyocellular triacylglycerol lipolysis, or de novo lipogenesis. Fatty acids are also used as fuel for energy provision during exercise.
Fatty acids are transported into muscle cells by fatty acid translocase/cluster of differentiation 36 (FAT/CD36), plasma membrane-associated fatty acid-binding protein (FABPpm), and a family of fatty acid transport proteins (FATP1 and 4). Once inside the muscle cell, fatty acids are bound to the cytoplasmic fatty acid-binding protein (FABPc), which acts as a sink to protect against the lipotoxic accumulation of free fatty acids.
De novo lipogenesis (DNL) is the metabolic process that converts nonlipid carbon precursors into lipids. Glucose is converted to pyruvate in the glycolytic pathway and then to citrate in mitochondria. Citrate transported to the cytoplasm yields cytosolic acetyl-CoA, which is then carboxylated to malonyl-CoA. Malonyl-CoA is used as a two-carbon donor for the complex multienzyme fatty acid synthase.











































