The main function of hormone-sensitive lipase is to mobilize stored fats. HSL functions to hydrolyze either a fatty acid from a triacylglycerol molecule, freeing a fatty acid and diglyceride, or a fatty acid from a diacylglycerol molecule, freeing a fatty acid and monoglyceride. This process allows energy metabolism in mammals. Although HSL is able to catalyze hydrolysis of triglycerides and diglycerides, another enzyme found in adipose tissue, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), has a higher affinity for triglycerides than HSL, and ATGL predominantly acts as the enzyme for triglyceride-specific hydrolysis in the adipocyte. Hormone-sensitive lipase, which has 11-fold greater affinity for diglycerides than triglycerides, predominantly cleaves these diglycerides, forming 2-monoglyceride and a free fatty acid.