The hydrolysis of dolichyl palmitate by intestinal mucosa.

A dolichyl palmitate esterase was found in cell-free extracts of both pancreas and intestinal mucosa. The substrate for the reaction was dolichyl palmitate that was synthesized with labeled fatty acid. The reaction was monitored by the liberation of the free fatty acid and HPLC. All polyprenol esters studied were hydrolyzed despite differences in chain length. The role of this enzyme might be to promote the absorption of dolichol from the diet.