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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice
Published on: November 24, 2020
Carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism: from mouse to human
Jihong Lian1,2, Randal Nelson3,4, Richard Lehner3,4,5
1Group on Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. jlian1@ualberta.ca.
Abstract:
Mammalian carboxylesterases hydrolyze a wide range of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds, including lipid esters. Physiological functions of carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in vivo have been demonstrated by genetic manipulations and chemical inhibition in mice, and in vitro through (over)expression, knockdown of expression, and chemical inhibition in a variety of cells. Recent research advances have revealed the relevance of carboxylesterases to metabolic diseases such as obesity and fatty liver disease, suggesting these enzymes might be potential targets for treatment of metabolic disorders. In order to translate pre-clinical studies in cellular and mouse models to humans, differences and similarities of carboxylesterases between mice and human need to be elucidated. This review presents and discusses the research progress in structure and function of mouse and human carboxylesterases, and the role of these enzymes in lipid metabolism and metabolic disorders.
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