Lipases, generally defined as triacylgycerol hydrolases (
EC:3.1.1.3), cleave the carboxylester linkages in triacylglycerol (TAG) to produce diacylglycerol (DAG) and a carboxylate. In insects, TAGs are used for energy storage and for storage of fatty acid precursors for semiochemicals, while DAGs are the main form of transported lipid. Lipases thus control key steps in lipid uptake, transport and utilisation. (Adapted from
FBrf0208359.)
