The PPP is active in liver, adipose tissue, adrenal cortex, thyroid, erythrocytes, testis, and lactating mammary gland. Why is the pathway less active in skeletal muscle?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Muscle tissue contains very small amounts of the dehydrogenases of the PPP, which limits the activity of the pathway in skeletal muscle.  The enzymes of the PPP are expressed at highest levels in tissues that carry out high rates of lipid biosynthesis. Skeletal muscle, although active at de novo fatty acid synthesis, does not require high rates of fatty acid synthesis because it can acquire them readily from the blood. Therefore, expression of the oxidative enzymes of the PPP is at low levels in this tissue.

The PPP Is Active in Liver, Adipose Tissue, Adrenal Cortex