LECTURE 4 (Lipid synthesis) Flashcards

1
Q

What are the properties of Fatty acids & triglycerides?

A
  • Most lipids degraded to FREE FATTY ACIDS in intestine
  • Enterocytes convert fatty acids into TRIACYLGLYCEROL
  • When triacyglycerols reach the tissues to be used/stored, they are degraded back to free fatty acids
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2
Q

What is the form that fatty acids are transported through the plasma in?

A

Chylomicrons

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3
Q

Where is Lipoprotein lipase found?

A
  • On endothelial surfaces of capillaries
  • Abundant in adipocytes and muscle tissue
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4
Q

Where does Fatty acid synthesis take place?

A
  • Liver
  • Mammary glands
  • Adipose tissue (small amount)

[excess carbohydrates and proteins -> fatty acids]

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5
Q

Where is fatty acid stored?

A

Adipose tissue

[where it’s stored as triglycerides]

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6
Q

How are fatty acids broken down?

A

Fatty acids are OXIDISED through fatty acid/β-oxidation into TWO-CARBON ACETYL CoA molecules, which can then enter the KREBS CYCLE to generate ATP.

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7
Q

Which two enzymes are used in Fatty acid synthesis?

A
  • Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)
  • Fatty acid synthase (FASN)
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8
Q

What are the properties of Fatty acid synthesis?

A
  • Occurs in high energy states (fed state)
  • Lots of acetyl-CoA -> lots of ATP
  • Inhibition of ISOCITRATE DEHYDROGENASE ->. high CITRATE level inside the cell
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9
Q

Describe what happens in Fatty acid synthesis

A

1) Citrate moves from MITOCHONDRIA to CYTOSOL via CITRATE SHUTTLE
[since Acetyl-CoA cannot cross membrane]
2) Citrate is converted into acetyl-CoA via ATP-CITRATE LYASE which causes excess acetyl-CoA to move to the cytosol
3) Acetyl-CoA is converted to MALONYL-CoA via ACETYL-CoA CARBOXYLASE [RATE LIMITING STEP!]
4) Synthesis of PALMITATE which requires FATTY ACID SYNTHASE and NADPH -> uses carbons from ACETYL-CoA and MALONYL-CoA to create a 16-carbon fatty acid (PALMITATE)

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10
Q

Which co-factors are required to convert Acetyl-CoA into Malonyl-CoA?

A
  • Citrate
  • Insulin
  • Glucagon
  • Epinephrine
  • Biotin
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11
Q

What is Biotin?

A

A co-factor for carboxylation enzymes that add 1-carbon group via CO2

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12
Q

Which Carboxylation enzymes require Biotin?

A
  • Pyruvate carboxylase
  • Acetyl-CoA carboxylase
  • Proprionyl-CoA carboxylase
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13
Q

What are the major sources of NADPH required for fatty acid synthesis?

A
  • Conversion of MALATE to PYRUVATE
  • Conversion of GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE to RIBULOSE-5-PHOSPHATE
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14
Q

How can fatty acid chains be further elongated?

A
  • Addition of 2-carbon units in the SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (SER) where MALONYL-CoA is the 2-carbon donor and NADPH supplies the electrons
  • BRAIN has elongation capabilities allowing it to produce the very-long-chain fatty acids (over 22 carbons) required for synthesis of lipids
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15
Q

Glucose transporter in adipocytes (GLUT-4) is _________-_________

A

Insulin dependent

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16
Q

Can Palmitate be modified to other fatty acids?

A

YES

17
Q

What happens when plasma glucose and plasma insulin levels are low?

A

Adipocytes have only limited ability to synthesise glycerol phosphate and cannot produce Triacylglycerides

18
Q

Where can glycerol phosphate be synthesised?

A
  • Liver
  • Adipose tissue
19
Q

What are the properties of Saturated fats?

A
  • Contains no double bonds
    [“saturated” because saturated with hydrogen]
  • Usually solid at room temperature
  • Raise LDL cholesterol
20
Q

What are the properties of Unsaturated fats?

A
  • Contains at least one double bond
  • Monounsaturated/Polyunsaturated
21
Q

What are the properties of Trans fat?

A
  • Trans from partial hydrogenations (food processing method)
  • Increase LDL, lower HDL
22
Q

Most natural fats have which configuration? (Cis/Trans)

A

Cis

23
Q

Describe Omega-3 fatty acids

A
  • Type of polyunsaturated fat
  • Found in fish oil
  • Can be incorporated into cell membranes
24
Q

What are the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids?

A
  • Consumption associated with decreased cardiovascular event
  • Reduce VLDL production
  • Lowers triglyceride levels
  • Modest increase in HDL
  • Commercial supplements available (LOVAZA)
25
Q

What are the GI side effects of Omega-3 fatty acids?

A
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • “fishy” taste
26
Q
A