Monoacylglycerol

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Monoacylglycerol consists of a glycerol backbone with a single, esterified fatty acid. It is an abundant species as it is an intermediate of fat metabolism (resulting from the release of two fatty acids from triacylglycerol).

One special monoacylglycerol, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, is a full agonist of the cannabinoid receptors and thus classified as an endocannabinoid.

Monoacylglycerols can be formed in a number of ways. Most common, perhaps, is release of a fatty acid from diacylglycerol by diacylglycerol lipase or hormone sensitive lipase. Monoacylglycerols are broken down by monoacylglycerol lipase.