Biochemistry, Lipase
- PMID: 30726031
- Bookshelf ID: NBK537346
Biochemistry, Lipase
Excerpt
Lipases are a family of enzymes that break down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol. There are expressed and active in multiple tissues; for example, hepatic lipases are in the liver, hormone-sensitive lipases are in adipocytes, lipoprotein lipase is in the vascular endothelial surface, and pancreatic lipase is in the small intestine. Lipases in pancreatic secretions are responsible for digestion and hydrolysis of fat and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Understanding the lipase function is crucial for the pathophysiology of fat necrosis and acute and chronic pancreatitis. Also, lipases play an essential role in the mechanism of some cholesterol-lowering medications. This review will explore the lipase enzyme's function, pathophysiology, and clinical significance.
Copyright © 2025, StatPearls Publishing LLC.
Conflict of interest statement
Sections
Similar articles
-
Lipolysis of visceral adipocyte triglyceride by pancreatic lipases converts mild acute pancreatitis to severe pancreatitis independent of necrosis and inflammation.Am J Pathol. 2015 Mar;185(3):808-19. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.11.019. Epub 2015 Jan 8. Am J Pathol. 2015. PMID: 25579844 Free PMC article.
-
Lipases: it's not just pancreatic lipase!Am J Vet Res. 2022 Jun 20;83(8):ajvr.22.03.0048. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.22.03.0048. Am J Vet Res. 2022. PMID: 35895796 Review.
-
Fat digestion and absorption: Normal physiology and pathophysiology of malabsorption, including diagnostic testing.Nutr Clin Pract. 2024 Apr;39 Suppl 1:S6-S16. doi: 10.1002/ncp.11130. Nutr Clin Pract. 2024. PMID: 38429963 Review.
-
Digestion of human milk lipids: physiologic significance of sn-2 monoacylglycerol hydrolysis by bile salt-stimulated lipase.Pediatr Res. 1982 Oct;16(10):882-5. doi: 10.1203/00006450-198210000-00016. Pediatr Res. 1982. PMID: 7145512
-
Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase 2 Is Stable and Highly Active in Test Meals and Increases Fat Absorption in an Animal Model of Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency.Gastroenterology. 2015 Dec;149(7):1910-1919.e5. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2015.08.047. Epub 2015 Aug 29. Gastroenterology. 2015. PMID: 26327131
References
-
- Holmquist M. Alpha/Beta-hydrolase fold enzymes: structures, functions and mechanisms. Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2000 Sep;1(2):209-35. - PubMed
-
- Salah RB, Mosbah H, Fendri A, Gargouri A, Gargouri Y, Mejdoub H. Biochemical and molecular characterization of a lipase produced by Rhizopus oryzae. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2006 Jul;260(2):241-8. - PubMed
Publication types
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources