Figure 3.

Function of ACSL4. ACSL4 catalyzes the conversion of exogenous long-chain fatty acids into acyl-coenzyme A. Acyl-CoA can then be transported into the mitochondria via carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1), where it can be converted to acetyl-CoA and participate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle to provide energy. Additionally, acyl-CoA can produce phosphatidylinositol, which contributes to membrane synthesis. Acyl-CoA can promote diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and be involved in the synthesis of triacylglycerol (TAG) in lipid droplets (LDs) for lipid storage. Intermediates such as lyso-phosphatidic acid (LPA), phosphatidic acid (PA), and diacylglycerol (DAG) may initiate signaling cascades, and PA and DAG can also serve as precursors to all glycerophospholipids.