HCAR1, which stands for Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Receptor 1, is a specific G protein-coupled receptor primarily known for being the high-affinity receptor for lactate, the key end product of anaerobic glycolysis. This receptor is significantly expressed in various tissues, including adipose tissue, and its activation plays a critical role in systemic metabolic regulation, particularly by potently inhibiting lipolysis, or the breakdown of fat. Understanding HCAR1 signaling is critical for optimizing metabolic health and body composition strategies in a clinical setting.
Origin
The acronym HCAR1 is derived from its full scientific name, Hydroxycarboxylic Acid Receptor 1, accurately reflecting its function as a cell surface protein that binds to hydroxycarboxylic acids, such such as lactate. Its clinical significance emerged with the groundbreaking realization that metabolic byproducts like lactate are not merely waste products but are also powerful, essential signaling molecules. This discovery established a direct molecular link between intense exercise, energy status, and hormonal regulation across different organ systems.
Mechanism
The primary mechanism of HCAR1 is its crucial role as a sensor for elevated lactate levels, effectively coupling periods of intense physical exertion to immediate changes in adipose tissue metabolism. When lactate levels rise sharply during strenuous exercise, lactate binds to HCAR1 on adipocytes, triggering an inhibitory G-protein cascade that potently suppresses the activity of hormone-sensitive lipase. This temporary, physiological inhibition of lipolysis is a conserved mechanism to spare fatty acids during periods of high glucose demand, thereby precisely regulating energy substrate partitioning in direct response to acute exercise-induced metabolic stress.
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