LIPOGEN

lipogenesis is the conversion of fatty acids and glycerol into fats, or a metabolic process through
which acetyl-CoA is converted to triglyceride for storage in fat. Lipogenesis encompasses both fatty
acid and triglyceride synthesis, with the latter being the process by which fatty acids are esterified to
glycerol before being packaged into very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)

WHERE IT TAKES PLACE

Takes place in both liver and adipose

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE

Lipogenesis is stimulated by a high carbohydrate diet, whereas it is inhibited by
polyunsaturated fatty acids and by fasting. These effects are partly mediated by hormones,
which inhibit (growth hormone, leptin) or stimulate (insulin) lipogenesis.

LIPOGENESIS PATHWAY
Cellular respiration is a cellular process wherein the biochemical energy is harvested from
organic substance (e.g. glucose) and then stored in energy-carrying biomolecule (e.g. ATP).
The major steps or processes of cellular respiration are (1) glycolysis, (2) Krebs cycle, and
(3) oxidative phosphorylation. In glycolysis, for instance, glucose is converted to pyruvate.
Before the next phase proceeds, the pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA
enters the Krebs cycle to be oxidized through a cyclic series of enzymatic reactions. ATPs are
produced as a source of energy for various metabolic processes.
In lipogenesis, the excess energy that will not be used immediately can be stored in the form
of fats. The energy from acetyl-CoA is stored in fat biomolecules. The process wherein lipid is
broken down to extract energy is called lipolysis. Lipolysis is activated when the circulating
insulin level is low whereas the circulating epinephrine is high.
Insulin level rises when the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream. High glucose level
(e.g. from dietary sources) promotes the release of insulin from the pancreas. In the presence of
high insulin level, lipogenesis predominates over lipolysis. Insulin induces a cascade of
reactions that lead to the reduction of cAMP level. While insulin slows down lipolysis, it induces
lipogenesis. This ensures that lipolysis and lipogenesis do not occur at the same time.
When insulin is released by the pancreas to the bloodstream, the level of insulin increases. This
results in the slowing down of lipolysis by inducing series of reactions that reduce cAMP level
and lower sympathetic nervous outflow. Insulin also stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase
phosphatase that removes phosphate from pyruvate dehydronesase, thereby activating the
latter to convert pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA is carboxylated to form malonyl-CoA
through the action of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. The malonyl-CoA plays a role in the chain
elongation in fatty acid biosynthesis.
Lipogenesis includes (1) fatty acid synthesis and (2) triglyceride synthesis. Fatty acid synthesis
occurs in the cytoplasm and characterized by the repeated addition of two-carbon units to
acetyl-CoA. In triglyceride synthesis, three fatty acids are esterified to a glycerol in
the endoplasmic reticulum. The cells that carry out lipogenesis are mostly adipocytes and liver
cells. The liver cells, though, release triglycerides in the form of very-low-density lipoproteins
(VLDL) into the bloodstream.

IMPORTANCE OF LIPOGENESIS