Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) Assay Kit (Colorimetric)

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) also known as glycerol phosphate is a significant metabolite in the body. G3P mechanistically functions by acting as an intermediate in lipid metabolism and energy production. The enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) converts glycerol to glycerol-3-phosphate during glycolysis and triglyceride synthesis. The mass of G3P in metabolic processes is not directly applicable because it is a small molecular metabolite rather than a macromolecule. G3P is mainly expressed in liver and muscle tissues where energy regulation and lipid biosynthesis are important.

Biological function summary

The conversion of glycerol to glycerol-3-phosphate is an important step in various cellular functions. G3P plays a central role in triglyceride and phospholipid biosynthesis. It serves as a building block for the glycerol backbone in lipid molecules. In cellular respiration G3P is part of the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle a mechanism in mitochondria that assists in transferring reducing equivalents from cytosolic NADH into the mitochondrial matrix linking G3P with the aerobic respiration process. This shuttle is not a complex by itself but it involves interactions with other mitochondrial components.

Pathways

Glycerol-3-phosphate is deeply entrenched in lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis. It is an important player in the triglyceride biosynthesis pathway where it is esterified to form phosphatidic acid with acyl-CoAs. This process links it with enzymes such as acyl-CoA synthetase and phosphatidate phosphatase. Additionally the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle pathway connects G3P to oxidative phosphorylation linking it to enzymes like mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and ubiquinone which are essential for ATP production.

Associated diseases and disorders

G3P is significantly involved in metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Dysregulation in the balance of glycerol to glycerol-3-phosphate conversion can lead to aberrant lipid accumulation contributing to obesity. Additionally issues with the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme are linked to insulin resistance a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. In these conditions G3P's role interfaces with other proteins like insulin receptor substrate proteins which are critical in maintaining normal insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis.