Influence of glucagon on the synthesis of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines in monolayer cultures of Rat hepatocytes

The results suggest that during fasting glucagon may preferentially channel diacylglycerols into PE possibly by increasing the availability of CDPethanolamine.

Abstract

Diacylglycerols function as common precursors in
\nthe biosynthesis of triacylglycerols (TG), phosphatidylcholines
\n(PC) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PE). Several investigators have shown that the distribution
\nof diacylglycerols among TG, PC and PE in rat
\nliver can be influenced by varying the dietary state of
\nthe animal. Fasting, for example, causes a
\ndrastic inhibition in the formation of hepatic TG whereas the synthesis of PC and, particularly,
\nthat of PE are much less affected. These
\nobservations suggest that the hormones insulin and
\nglucagon may be involved in the regulation of the
\nbiosynthesis of these glycerolipids since the ratio of
\ninsulin and glucagon is determined largely by the
\nnutritional state of the animal.