title: The adipsin-ASP pathway and regulation of adipocyte function.
abstract: The adipsin-ASP pathway provides a mechanism by which the adipocyte is able to regulate its rate of de novo triglyceride synthesis and reesterification. The adipocyte can synthesize and secrete the three proteins necessary for the formation of the effector molecule, acylation stimulating protein (ASP). ASP increases membrane transport of glucose and the activity of diacylglycerol acyltransferase and by virtue of both of these effects markedly increases the rate of triglyceride synthesis. Awareness of the pathway will allow, we believe, a new understanding of the regulation of triglyceride removal from plasma. Accordingly, the concept of microenvironmental metabolic regulation of triglyceride hydrolysis at the endothelial surface and triglyceride synthesis within the adipocyte will be presented. In addition, the pathogenetic sequence by which dysfunction of this pathway can lead to dyslipoproteinaemia will be reviewed. Emphasis, however, will be placed on the role this pathway may play in the pathogenesis of obesity and the adaptation to negative caloric balance in the obese.
authors.affiliation: McGill Unit for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Sniderman
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cianflone
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011416:Complement Factor D; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; C044541:complement C3a, des-Arg-(77)-; D015926:Complement C3a; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C493488:CFD protein, human; D011416:Complement Factor D