Abstract
(--)-Hydroxycitrate is a well-known inhibitor of the citrate cleavage enzyme (EC 4.1.3.8). In isolated hepatocytes it inhibits fatty acid synthesis from glucose, but it does not affect fatty acid synthesis from acetate. In its presence, insulin stimulates and glucagon inhibits incorporation of labelled acetate into fatty acids. This is evidence that both hormones directly influence fatty acid synthesis from acetate.