Triacylglyceride synthesis (Homo sapiens)

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Fatty acids are stored for future use as triacylglycerides (TAG; triglycerides, TG) in all cells, but primarily in adipocytes of adipose tissue. TAGs constitute molecules of glycerol to which three fatty acids have been esterified. The fatty acids present in TAGs are predominantly saturated. The major building block for the synthesis of TAGs, in tissues other than adipose tissue, is glycerol. Adipocytes lack glycerol kinase, therefore, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), produced during glycolysis, is the precursor for TAG synthesis in adipose tissue. This means that adipocytes must have glucose to oxidize in order to store fatty acids in the form of TAGs. DHAP can also serve as a backbone precursor for TAG synthesis in tissues other than adipose, but does so to a much lesser extent than glycerol. The fatty acids incorporated into TAGs are all activated to acyl-CoAs through the action of various acyl-CoA synthetases.

GenMAPP notes 

Created by Magali Jaillard, Marijke Vermeer, Michiel Adrieans, Ron Schormans and Chris Evelo, see website.

GenMAPP remarks 

http://www.bigcat.unimaas.nl/mapps/