Dietary and hormonal regulation of the mammalian fatty acid synthase gene

Fatty acids in adipocytes can be derived from circulating lipoproteins via lipoprotein lipase, or they can be synthesized via de novo lipogenesis from carbohydrate precursors such as glucose. Excess glucose promotes lipogenesis by increasing the glycolytic flux and generating acetyl CoA. Acetyl CoA is the primary substrate for the synthesis of long-chain saturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are then used for esterification of α-glycerol phosphate- generating triacylglycerols, the major form of energy storage in adipose tissue.