Question

Pancreatic $\mathbf{\beta }$cells express a receptor for fatty acids. Fatty acid binding to the protein appears to stimulate insulin secretion. Does this phenomenon make metabolic sense?

Short answer

Yes, it makes metabolic sense for pancreatic $\mathrm{\beta }$-cells to express fatty acid receptors.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Insulin

Insulin is the hormone that controls glucose uptake by cells.In addition to activating glucose transporters, insulin has additional roles, such as inhibition of some metabolic hormones.

Explanation

In adipocytes, one of the hormones inhibited by insulin is hormone-sensitive lipase. This lipase is the regulatory enzyme of lipolysis. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides to form fatty acids and glycerol.

Inhibition of hormone-sensitive lipase decreases lipolysis, thus blocking the excess fatty acid release into the bloodstream.

Final answer

It makes metabolic sense for pancreatic $\mathrm{\beta }$-cells to express fatty acid receptors, which stimulate insulin synthesis because insulin decreases lipolysis by inhibiting the hormone-sensitive lipase.