Lipase that is regulated by glucagon:
Glucagon is a hormone that increases blood glucose levels, so it would promote processes that release glucose or energy. Insulin and glucagon have opposing roles. Insulin promotes storage, glucagon promotes breakdown.
Hormone-sensitive lipase is involved in breaking down triglycerides in adipose tissue to release free fatty acids. Insulin inhibits this enzyme, while glucagon would activate it. So glucagon would stimulate hormone-sensitive lipase to break down fats when glucose is low.
Lipoprotein lipase is found in capillaries and breaks down triglycerides in chylomicrons and VLDL. It's regulated by insulin, so insulin increases its activity. Glucagon probably doesn't regulate this one.
Pancreatic lipase is involved in digesting dietary fats. Its regulation is more about the presence of food and digestive signals like CCK, not glucagon.
So the correct answer is hormone-sensitive lipase. The other options are either regulated by insulin or not related to glucagon.
**Core Concept**
Glucagon regulates lipolysis in adipose tissue by activating **hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL)**. This enzyme hydrolyzes stored triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol, providing energy during fasting states. Glucagon opposes insulin's actions, which inhibits HSL to promote lipid storage.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Glucagon stimulates **hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL)** via cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling. When blood glucose is low, glucagon activates adenylate cyclase in adipocytes, increasing cAMP. Protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylates and activates HSL, releasing free fatty acids for ketogenesis and gluconeogenesis. This mechanism is critical for energy mobilization during fasting.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Pancreatic lipase* is secreted by the pancreas to digest dietary triglycerides in the small intestine. It is regulated by cholecystokinin (CCK), not glucagon.
**Option B:** *Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)* hydrolyzes triglycerides in chylomicrons and VLDL. Its activity is enhanced by insulin, not glucagon, and suppressed during fasting.
**Option C:** *Hepatic lipase* is involved in HDL metabolism and is regulated by hepatic factors, not directly by glucagon.
**Clinical Pearl**
Remember the **"Insulin vs. Glucagon" dichotomy**: Insulin promotes storage (inhibits HSL, activates LPL), while glucagon promotes breakdown (activates HSL, inhibits LPL). This contrast is a high-yield exam topic for endocrinology and metabolism questions.
**Correct Answer: C. Hormone-sensitive lipase**