Lipoprotein lipase

Lipoprotein lipase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes lipids in lipoproteins, like those found in chylomicrons and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), into three free fatty acids and one glycerol molecule. It requires Apo-CII as a cofactor.

Lipoprotein lipase is specifically found in endothelial cells lining the capillaries.

Regulation
Insulin is known to enhance LPL synthesis in adipocytes and its placement in the capillary endothelium.

LPL has different isozymes in different tissues. The form that is in adipocytes is activated by insulin, whereas that in muscle and myocardium is not. This helps to explain why adipose cells gain fat in a well-fed state.

Pathology
Lipoprotein lipase deficiency leads to hypertriglyceridemia (elevated levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream).

High-fat diets have been shown to cause tissue-specific overexpression of LPL: This has been implicated in tissue-specific insulin resistance and consequent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.