Lipid metabolism in animal cells describes the highly regulated processes that involve the synthesis, breakdown, and storage of lipids such as triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol, and other lipid-derived molecules. The regulation of lipid metabolism is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and overall organism health. The process of lipid metabolism begins with the ingestion of dietary fats from the diet. In the small intestine, lipids are emulsified by bile salts and hydrolysed by pancreatic lipases into fatty acids and monoglycerides. These smaller lipid molecules are then absorbed by enterocytes (cells lining the small intestine) and packaged into chylomicrons, large lipoprotein particles that transport lipids through the lymphatic system to the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, chylomicrons release triglycerides to peripheral tissues with the help of lipoprotein lipase. Additionally, the liver synthesizes very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) to transport endogenously synthesized triglycerides to other tissues. As these lipoproteins interact with various tissues, triglycerides are either stored in adipose tissue or taken up by cells for energy production or biosynthesis. In the cytoplasm of animal cells, excess glucose and other substrates can also be converted into fatty acids through lipogenesis. This pathway is particularly active in the liver, adipose tissue, and the lactating mammary gland. Acetyl-CoA serves as the primary building block for fatty acid synthesis, with fatty acid synthase (FAS) playing a crucial role in catalysing the stepwise elongation of fatty acids. The final product, palmitic acid, can be further desaturated and elongated to produce a variety of different fatty acids with variable chain lengths and degrees of saturation. Lipolysis is the breakdown of stored triglycerides in adipose tissue to release fatty acids and glycerol, which can be used for energy production during times of fasting or increased energy demands. Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is a key enzyme responsible for catalysing the hydrolysis of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids are then released into the bloodstream and taken up by various tissues for β-oxidation (fatty acid oxidation) in the mitochondria, where they are further broken down to produce ATP. Cholesterol is another critical component of lipid metabolism. Animal cells can synthesize cholesterol de novo in the endoplasmic reticulum, primarily in the liver, but also acquire it through dietary intake. Cholesterol is essential for cell membrane structure and serves as a precursor for bile acids, steroid hormones (such as cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone), and vitamin D. Cellular cholesterol levels are therefore tightly regulated through feedback mechanisms that involve the synthesis, uptake, and efflux of cholesterol. Beyond their roles in energy storage and structural components of cell membranes, lipids also function as signalling molecules. For example, phospholipids such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and diacylglycerol (DAG) play crucial roles in intracellular signalling pathways, including the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and inositol phosphate signalling cascades. We provide a wide product catalogue of research tools for investigating lipid metabolism, including CD36 antibodies, PKC mu antibodies, HDAC3 antibodies, Apolipoprotein E ELISA Kits, and BMP7 ELISA Kits. Explore our full lipid metabolism product range below and discover more, for less.