Fatty Acid Esterification by Homogenates of Bovine Liver and Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Glycerol-3~phosphate, adenosine triphos- phate, coenzyme A, MgC12, and NaF were necessary cofactors for maximal esterifiea- tion of palmitate-l-14C by homogenates of bovine liver and adipose tissue. Dithio- threitol enhanced esterification in liver, but not in adipose tissue homogenates, whereas esterification was stimulated by bovine serum albumin in adipose but not hepatic tissue. Both systems incorporated palmi- tate, stearate, oleate, and linolenate into glycerides. Linoleate incorporation was scant by either system. Liver homogenates esterified a greater percentage of the fatty acids into phospholipids and monoglycer- ides than did adipose tissue. Triglycerides accounted for 55% of the product in adi- pose tissue and 18 to 44% in liver.