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

Abstract

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