Studies on a cell line derived from a biopsy of a liver tumor demonstrate that these cells are unable to synthesize triglycerides. Which of the following enzymes is most likely defective, or missing, from these cells resulting in the loss of triglyceride synthesis?
A) glycerol kinase
B) glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase
C) glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
D) hepatic lipase
E) phosphatidic acid phosphatase

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hepatocytes utilize glycerol as the building block for the synthesis of triglycerides. The glycerol backbone is activated by phosphorylation at the C-3 position by glycerol kinase. Therefore, a loss of glycerol kinase activity in these cells would most likely explain the reduced capability to synthesize triglycerides.

Studies on a Cell Line Derived from a Biopsy of a Liver